The Seven Wonders Of The 'Hegseth Clan': A Deep Dive Into Pete Hegseth's Blended Family And Kids In 2025

Contents
The year 2025 marks a new chapter for Pete Hegseth, not just professionally but also for his expansive family. Following his appointment as the U.S. Secretary of Defense, the former Fox News host brought his entire "Hegseth clan"—all seven children—to the swearing-in ceremony, signaling a powerful public message about his commitment to his blended family. This unprecedented visibility has sparked immense curiosity about the children's names, their ages, and how this large, dynamic family unit operates behind the scenes in their Middle Tennessee home. The concept of a "blended family" is central to the Hegseth household, a term Pete Hegseth has publicly rejected in favor of simply calling them a family united by faith. This deep dive provides the most current, up-to-date details on the four biological children and three step-children who make up the seven wonders of his world, offering a rare look into the private life of one of America’s most prominent political figures in late 2025.

Pete Hegseth: Biography and Family Profile

Peter Brian Hegseth is an American government official, author, and military veteran who has transitioned from a high-profile media career to a top political post. His life has been defined by service, conservative commentary, and a complex, growing family life.

Full Name: Peter Brian Hegseth
Date of Birth: June 6, 1980
Age (as of late 2025): 45 years old
Place of Birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Education: Princeton University (B.A.), Harvard University (M.P.P.)
Military Service: U.S. Army National Guard (Served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay)
Wives:

  • Meridith E. Schwarz (m. 2004; div. 2009)
  • Samantha Deering (m. 2010; div. 2017)
  • Jennifer Rauchet (m. 2019–present)
Current Role: U.S. Secretary of Defense (Appointed January 2025)

Hegseth's family life is notably large, encompassing three marriages and a total of seven children living under one roof in Middle Tennessee. His current wife, Jennifer Rauchet Hegseth, is a former Fox Nation executive producer, and together they have embraced a "no steps or halves" philosophy for their seven kids, fostering a unified "Hegseth clan."

The Seven Children of the Hegseth Clan: Names and Ages

The Hegseth family is composed of four biological children from Pete Hegseth and three step-children from his wife, Jennifer Rauchet Hegseth. The children range in age from pre-teen to mid-teens, creating a bustling, energetic household. The following list details the seven children, with approximate ages updated for late 2025, based on the most recent reports of their ages from early 2025.

Pete Hegseth's Biological Children (4)

These four children are the biological offspring of Pete Hegseth, three from his second marriage to Samantha Deering and one from his current marriage to Jennifer Rauchet.

  • Gunner Hegseth
    • Relationship: Son (with Samantha Deering)
    • Approximate Age: ~15 years old
    • Details: Gunner is the eldest son and the first child from Pete Hegseth's second marriage. He is frequently mentioned in his father's anecdotes about raising young men.
  • Boone Hegseth
    • Relationship: Son (with Samantha Deering)
    • Approximate Age: ~13 years old
    • Details: The middle son from the second marriage, Boone, often appears in family photos shared by his parents, highlighting a passion for outdoor activities and sports.
  • Rex Hegseth
    • Relationship: Son (with Samantha Deering)
    • Approximate Age: ~10 years old
    • Details: Rex is the youngest of the three sons from Hegseth's marriage to Samantha Deering. His age places him firmly in the elementary school years, contributing to the lively atmosphere of the home.
  • Gwendolyn "Gwen" Hope Hegseth
    • Relationship: Daughter (with Jennifer Rauchet)
    • Approximate Age: ~8 years old
    • Details: Gwendolyn is the only biological child Pete Hegseth shares with his current wife, Jennifer Rauchet. She was born in 2017 before their 2019 marriage. She was recently mentioned by name in a public setting by her father, who confirmed her age as 7 in early 2025.

Jennifer Rauchet's Children (Pete Hegseth's Step-Children) (3)

These three children are from Jennifer Rauchet's previous relationship and are considered full members of the Hegseth family, as per the couple’s philosophy.

  • Jackson Rauchet Hegseth
    • Relationship: Step-son
    • Approximate Age: ~14 years old
    • Details: Born in March 2011, Jackson is the oldest of Jennifer Rauchet's children. He is now a young teenager, navigating high school life alongside his step-brother Gunner.
  • Kenzie Rauchet Hegseth
    • Relationship: Step-daughter
    • Approximate Age: ~12 years old
    • Details: Born in October 2013, Kenzie is the only daughter among the seven children, bringing a unique dynamic to the predominantly male household.
  • Luke Rauchet Hegseth
    • Relationship: Step-son
    • Approximate Age: ~9 years old
    • Details: Born in March 2016, Luke is the youngest of Jennifer Rauchet's three children. He is close in age to Rex and Gwendolyn, forming a trio of younger siblings.

The Blended Family Philosophy and Life in Middle Tennessee

The sheer size and composition of the Hegseth family—seven children from two different relationships and three different mothers—make their family dynamic a point of significant public interest. The key to their unity, according to Pete Hegseth, is a commitment to eliminating the divisive language of "step" or "half."

Pete and Jennifer Hegseth have repeatedly stated that they view all seven children as their own, collectively referring to them as the "Hegseth clan." This intentional approach to co-parenting and blending the family is a cornerstone of their shared faith and values, which they often discuss in public forums and on their platforms.

Life After the Secretary of Defense Appointment

The family's relocation to Middle Tennessee, where they currently reside, has provided a more private and grounded environment away from the intense media scrutiny of New York. The move was a deliberate choice to focus on family and conservative values, which are central to their shared identity.

The most recent and significant update to the family’s public life came in January 2025, when Pete Hegseth was sworn in as the U.S. Secretary of Defense. The presence of all seven children—Gunner, Boone, Rex, Gwendolyn, Jackson, Kenzie, and Luke—at the ceremony was a powerful visual statement.

This event not only highlighted the children’s support for their father's new, high-stakes role but also served as a rare, unified public appearance for the entire, large family. The new role will undoubtedly bring new logistical challenges, but the family’s public display of unity suggests they are committed to navigating this new chapter together, emphasizing faith, family, and freedom as their guiding principles.

Topical Authority: Hegseth's Children and Public Life

Despite their father's prominent public career, the Hegseth children are largely kept out of the spotlight to maintain their privacy. However, a few key entities and moments have linked them to their father’s public persona, solidifying the topical authority surrounding the "Hegseth clan."

  • The "No Steps" Rule: The family's public stance on rejecting the terms "step-children" or "half-siblings" has become a defining entity of their family brand, emphasizing equality among the seven children.
  • The Oath Ceremony: The January 2025 swearing-in as U.S. Secretary of Defense is the most recent and significant public event where all seven children were present, linking their names directly to a major political transition.
  • Jennifer Rauchet's Influence: As a former Fox News executive producer, Jennifer Rauchet Hegseth brings a strong media background to the family, often sharing curated glimpses of their life in Middle Tennessee while protecting the children's privacy.
  • Military Background: Pete Hegseth's extensive military service as an Army veteran is a core part of his identity, and he often speaks about instilling discipline, patriotism, and service values in his sons and daughter.

The Hegseth family, with its seven children, stands as a modern example of a large, complex, and highly functional blended family. Their commitment to unity, even amidst the backdrop of high-level political responsibility, continues to capture public attention and curiosity in 2025.

pete hegseth kids
pete hegseth kids

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