Pete Hegseth’s Three Wives: The Untold Story Of His Blended Family Of Seven

Contents
The question of "Is Pete Hegseth married?" is a simple one with a complex, multi-layered answer, reflecting a personal life that has been as dynamic as his high-profile career shift from television personality to a top government official. As of the current date, December 19, 2025, the former Fox News host and current United States Secretary of Defense is indeed married to his third wife, Jennifer Rauchet. Their relationship, which began while both were working at Fox News, has resulted in a large, blended family that Hegseth frequently references as the bedrock of his life and conservative values. This deep dive explores the full timeline of his three marriages, the identity of his current spouse, and the details of their seven-child household, providing the most current and authoritative information available.

Pete Hegseth: A Comprehensive Biography and Profile

Peter Brian Hegseth is an American political commentator, author, former television host, and Army National Guard officer whose career trajectory has recently placed him in one of the highest echelons of the U.S. government.

  • Full Name: Peter Brian Hegseth
  • Date of Birth: June 6, 1980
  • Age: 45 (as of 2025)
  • Place of Birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Parents: Penelope and Brian Hegseth
  • Education: Princeton University (B.A. in Politics, 2003); Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government (Master in Public Policy, 2013)
  • Military Service: U.S. Army National Guard (2003–Present); Served in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan; Holds the rank of Major.
  • Career Highlights: Executive Director of Vets for Freedom (2007–2012); CEO of Concerned Veterans for America; Fox News Contributor and Co-Host of Fox & Friends Weekend (2017–2024); Nominated and Confirmed as the 29th United States Secretary of Defense (2024/2025).
  • Current Spouse: Jennifer Rauchet (m. 2019)
  • Children: Seven (blended family)

The Three Chapters of Pete Hegseth’s Marriage History

Pete Hegseth’s personal life has been marked by three significant marriages, each contributing to the man and public figure he is today. His journey through marriage and divorce has been openly discussed in the media, particularly given his high-profile career on cable news and now in the Pentagon.

First Wife: Meredith Schwarz (2004–2009)

Hegseth’s first wife was Meredith Schwarz. The two were high school sweethearts, and their relationship culminated in marriage in 2004. Meredith Schwarz and Pete Hegseth’s marriage lasted for approximately five years before they ultimately divorced in 2009. This period coincided with the early stages of Hegseth’s military service and his initial deployments, a time of immense stress and change for any young couple.

Second Wife: Samantha Deering (2010–2017)

Following his first divorce, Hegseth married Samantha Deering in 2010. This marriage was his longest and resulted in the birth of three of his biological children. Samantha Deering played a significant role during Hegseth’s rise in the veterans' advocacy space and his initial foray into political commentary. The couple’s marriage ended in divorce in 2017. The dissolution of this marriage became publicly known amidst his growing relationship with his current wife, a detail that drew considerable media scrutiny at the time.

Third Wife: Jennifer Rauchet (2019–Present)

The current chapter of Hegseth’s marital life began with Jennifer Rauchet. Rauchet was an executive producer at Fox News, where Hegseth was a co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend. Their relationship began while they were colleagues, and they welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Gwendolyn, in August 2017, before Hegseth’s divorce from Samantha Deering was finalized.

Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet officially tied the knot in a private ceremony at the Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck, New Jersey, in 2019. Their wedding was a significant event, attended by many high-profile figures from the political and media worlds. Jennifer Rauchet, who now goes by Jennifer Hegseth, left her role as a producer to focus on family and her husband’s career, becoming a key supportive figure during his transition to the U.S. Secretary of Defense.

Inside Pete Hegseth’s Blended Family of Seven Children

One of the most defining aspects of Pete Hegseth’s personal life is his large, dynamic family. He and Jennifer Rauchet are raising a blended family of seven children, a fact that Hegseth often highlights in his public commentary on faith, family, and American values.

The seven children come from various relationships, forming a complex but close-knit unit:

  • Children from Second Marriage (with Samantha Deering): Hegseth has three sons from his marriage to Samantha Deering.
  • Children with Current Wife (Jennifer Rauchet): The couple has one biological daughter together, Gwendolyn, born in 2017.
  • Stepchildren: Jennifer Rauchet brought three children from her previous relationship into the marriage, making them Pete Hegseth's stepchildren.

This "blended family of seven" has become a central part of the Hegseth narrative. Both Pete and Jennifer frequently share photos and stories of their life in Middle Tennessee, emphasizing their commitment to raising their children with a strong focus on God, country, and freedom.

The complexity of their family structure, including the transition from his previous marriages to his current one, has been a topic of public discussion, but Hegseth has maintained that his wife, Jennifer, is his "rock" and that they are united in their commitment to their children.

The Impact of Marriage on His Political and Military Career

Pete Hegseth’s personal life has become intrinsically linked with his professional and political standing, especially since his nomination and confirmation as the Secretary of Defense. His current wife, Jennifer Rauchet Hegseth, has been thrust into the spotlight as a high-profile spouse, a role that comes with intense scrutiny.

The media has closely followed the couple, with reports noting Jennifer's attendance at meetings and her connection to her husband's work, which is common for a cabinet secretary's spouse but amplified by Hegseth's previous media career. Furthermore, a recent news cycle focused on Hegseth's communication with family members, including his wife, regarding sensitive military information, which he and his allies have strongly denied as a politically motivated attack.

His marriage and family life, therefore, are not merely personal details but key components of his public persona as a conservative political figure and a high-ranking government official. His narrative—of a decorated Army National Guard Major, former TV host, and father of seven—is carefully managed to project an image of a dedicated family man committed to traditional American values, even amidst the complexities of a modern blended family. The stability and public presentation of his marriage to Jennifer Rauchet are now part of the wider story of his political leadership in 2025 and beyond.

is pete hegseth married
is pete hegseth married

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