The Seven Wonders: A Complete Breakdown Of How Many Kids Pete Hegseth Has (And Their Names)
The question of "how many kids does Pete Hegseth have" has become a major point of public curiosity, especially following his high-profile appointment to the U.S. government in early 2025. The Fox News personality and former Army National Guard officer is the patriarch of a large, blended family, a dynamic that he and his wife, Jennifer Rauchet Hegseth, frequently celebrate. As of December 2025, the most current and accurate information confirms that Pete Hegseth is a father and stepfather to a total of seven children.
This extensive family unit is central to Hegseth's public persona, often appearing alongside him during significant career milestones, including his swearing-in ceremony as the Secretary of Defense in January 2025. The family structure is a result of his three marriages, blending biological children from his second and third marriages with step-children from his current wife’s previous relationship. This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at the Hegseth family, detailing the names and origins of all seven children.
Pete Hegseth: A Brief Biography and Profile
Before diving into his family life, understanding Pete Hegseth's background provides context for his current public stature and family dynamics. His career has been marked by military service, media commentary, and political activism.
- Full Name: Peter Brian Hegseth
- Date of Birth: June 6, 1980
- Place of Birth: Forest Lake, Minnesota, U.S.
- Education: Princeton University (B.A.), Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government (M.P.A.)
- Military Service: U.S. Army National Guard (Served in Afghanistan and Iraq; awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge)
- Career Highlights: Executive Director of Vets for Freedom; Fox News Contributor/Host (Fox & Friends Weekend); Author (e.g., In the Arena, American Crusade); U.S. Secretary of Defense (appointed January 2025)
- First Wife: Meredith Schwarz (m. 2004; div. 2009)
- Second Wife: Samantha Deering (m. 2010; div. 2017)
- Current Wife: Jennifer Rauchet Hegseth (m. 2019)
- Current Residence: Middle Tennessee
The Seven Children: Pete Hegseth’s Blended Family Breakdown
Pete Hegseth's family consists of four biological children and three step-children, totaling seven kids. The children range in age, creating a vibrant, busy household that the family calls home in Middle Tennessee. The Hegseth family is a clear example of a modern blended family, navigating the complexities of co-parenting and multiple households.
The Biological Children: Four Kids Across Two Marriages
Pete Hegseth has four biological children. The three eldest are sons from his second marriage to Samantha Deering, and the youngest is a daughter from his current marriage to Jennifer Rauchet.
From the Marriage to Samantha Deering (2010–2017):
Pete and Samantha Deering welcomed three sons during their seven-year marriage. These three boys form the core of his biological children.
- Gunner Hegseth: One of the eldest sons.
- Boone Hegseth: His full name is Peter, but he is known by his middle name, Boone. Boone has already made headlines, with Pete sharing on social media in early 2024 that Boone was elected to a position, marking him as the "first Hegseth ever elected."
- Rex Hegseth: The youngest of the three sons from this marriage.
From the Relationship with Jennifer Rauchet (Current Wife):
Pete and Jennifer welcomed a daughter before their marriage, while Pete was still finalizing his divorce from his second wife. This daughter is his fourth biological child.
- Gwendolyn "Gwen" Hegseth: The only daughter among Pete's biological children. She was born in 2017.
The Step-Children: Jennifer Hegseth’s Three Kids
Pete Hegseth is also a dedicated stepfather to his current wife, Jennifer Rauchet Hegseth’s, three children from her previous marriage. Jennifer Rauchet was a long-time Fox News executive producer, and she and Pete began their relationship while both were working at the network. Their marriage in 2019 officially solidified the seven-child blended family.
The addition of these three step-children is what brings the total count of children in the Hegseth household to seven. The family often discusses their faith and commitment to raising all seven children with a focus on "God and country."
- Jackson: One of Jennifer's sons.
- Kensington: One of Jennifer's daughters.
- Luke: One of Jennifer's sons.
The Hegseth family unit, consisting of Pete, Jennifer, and the seven children (Gunner, Boone, Rex, Gwendolyn, Jackson, Kensington, and Luke), is frequently seen together, demonstrating a strong, united front despite the complexities of their family history.
The Family Dynamic in the Public Eye
The sheer size and complexity of the Hegseth family have often been a topic of discussion, particularly with Pete Hegseth’s increasing visibility in conservative media and, more recently, in government. The family has embraced their unique structure, often sharing glimpses of their life in Tennessee on social media and in interviews.
The blended family dynamic is a key part of their story. Pete and Jennifer have worked to integrate their children from different relationships into one cohesive unit. This commitment to family values and their faith is something they consistently highlight, positioning their large family as a testament to their personal and political beliefs. The children were all present when Pete Hegseth took his oath of office as Secretary of Defense, a powerful public display of their unity.
The children's names, including Gunner, Boone, and Rex, reflect a certain traditional and strong American naming convention, which aligns with Hegseth's public persona. The focus on raising them to "love God and country" underscores the values instilled in the household.
In conclusion, when asking "how many kids does Pete Hegseth have," the definitive and current answer is seven. This includes four biological children (Gunner, Boone, Rex, and Gwendolyn) and three step-children (Jackson, Kensington, and Luke), all of whom form the core of the dynamic Hegseth family today.
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