Pete Hegseth, a well-known figure in media and a former Fox News host, has often been in the public spotlight. His career achievements and sometimes controversial personal life have made him a subject of public interest. Among the details of his life that pique curiosity is his family life, particularly questions about his marriages and children. This article delves into Pete Hegseth’s marital history to clarify whether he had children with his first wife and to provide a broader understanding of his family.
Pete Hegseth’s Marital History: A Detailed Overview
Pete Hegseth’s personal life includes three marriages, each marking a distinct period in his life. Understanding these relationships is key to answering the question of whether he had children with his first wife.
First Marriage: Pete Hegseth and Meredith Schwarz
Pete Hegseth’s first wife was Meredith Schwarz. They were high school sweethearts from Minnesota and married in 2004. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 2009, lasting for five years. Reports from The New Yorker indicate that the divorce followed Hegseth’s admission of infidelity. Importantly, Pete Hegseth did not have children with Meredith Schwarz. Their relationship, while significant in his early life, did not result in children and concluded before he entered the more public phases of his career. This first marriage remained relatively private compared to his later relationships.
Second Marriage: Pete Hegseth and Samantha Deering
In 2010, Pete Hegseth married his second wife, Samantha Deering. This marriage produced three children, marking a significant expansion of his family. For a time, they appeared to have a stable family life. However, this marriage eventually broke down when Hegseth began a relationship with Jennifer Rauchet, who was a senior producer at Fox News.
The affair with Rauchet became public in 2017 when she became pregnant with Hegseth’s child. This revelation led to the dissolution of his marriage to Deering, and their divorce was finalized in the same year. His second marriage is notable for being the one where he had multiple children, establishing him as a father before his relationship with his current wife.
Third Marriage: Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet
Pete Hegseth’s third and current wife is Jennifer Rauchet. Rauchet is a television producer, recognized for her work at Fox News. They met while Hegseth was co-hosting Fox & Friends Weekend, and Rauchet was producing the show. Their relationship began under controversial circumstances as both were married to other people at the time.
According to CNN, their affair caused considerable controversy at Fox News, leading to Rauchet being reassigned to a different show. Despite the initial scandal, Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet married in 2019 at the Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck, New Jersey. With Jennifer Rauchet, Hegseth has one biological daughter, Gwen, born in 2017.
Children and Blended Family Life
Pete Hegseth is the father of four biological children. As mentioned, he has three children from his second marriage to Samantha Deering and one daughter with his third wife, Jennifer Rauchet. Furthermore, he is a stepfather to Jennifer Rauchet’s three children from her previous marriage, creating a blended family of seven children in total.
Jennifer Rauchet often shares glimpses of their family life on social media, frequently posting pictures of their large, happy family. On their wedding day, she posted on Instagram, “Feeling perfectly and happily blended (officially)!” This reflects their commitment to their blended family and their public portrayal of a united family front.
Controversies Surrounding His Relationships
The relationship between Hegseth and Rauchet began amidst controversy. Their affair, occurring while both were married, became public when Rauchet’s pregnancy was revealed. The Daily Beast reported that this situation caused Fox News to reassign Rauchet to avoid workplace issues. The couple faced criticism for their relationship’s beginnings, though supporters have pointed to their eventual marriage as a sign of commitment.
Beyond this, Hegseth has faced other personal controversies, including a sexual assault allegation in 2017, reported by The New York Times. The case was settled in 2020 with a non-disclosure agreement. Additionally, there were reports in 2023 suggesting Rauchet’s involvement in internal disputes at Fox News, though these claims were denied.
Conclusion
In summary, Pete Hegseth did not have children with his first wife, Meredith Schwarz. His children are from his second and third marriages. His personal life has been marked by multiple marriages, a blended family, and public scandals. Despite the controversies, Hegseth and Rauchet present a picture of a committed blended family. Pete Hegseth remains a complex public figure whose personal life continues to attract attention alongside his professional endeavors.
