Pete Hegseth, a prominent figure in television and political commentary, has long been a subject of public interest. His selection for a high-profile position like Secretary of Defense by Donald Trump in late 2024 has only amplified curiosity about his life beyond the screen. While Hegseth often maintains a degree of privacy around his family, he has occasionally shared glimpses into his role as a father. Following his confirmation as Secretary of Defense, many are now asking: Who Does Pete Hegseth Have Kids With?
Pete Hegseth at the 2019 Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Phoenix, Arizona
In his book, The War on Warriors, Pete Hegseth provides insights into his hopes for his sons, expressing a desire for them to consider military service. He wrote a powerful letter to his sons, stating, “If you take that oath, I hope you take it all the way… And I would urge you to join the best. The SEALs. The Rangers. The Green Berets. Marine Raiders.” This excerpt highlights Hegseth’s values and aspirations for his children, whether they choose a path of military service or leadership in other areas. He further emphasized, “But if you choose not to serve in uniform, that is your choice. Then my charge for you is to fight and lead at home — because our war is on all fronts.”
Pete Hegseth’s Children: A Blended Family
Pete Hegseth is indeed a father. He has a total of seven children, encompassing both biological and stepchildren. This reflects a modern family dynamic with children from multiple relationships.
Pete Hegseth’s Marital History and Children
Pete Hegseth’s family is shaped by his three marriages. He is currently married to Jennifer Rauchet. Prior to Rauchet, he was married to Samantha Deering, and before that, to Meredith Schwarz.
His marriage to current wife, Jennifer Rauchet, began in 2019. Together, Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet share one daughter. Jennifer Rauchet also brings three stepchildren into their family, making Pete Hegseth a stepfather to these children.
Pete Hegseth’s second marriage was to Samantha Deering, from 2010 to 2017. He has three children with Samantha Deering. This means that Pete Hegseth has biological children from both his second and third marriages.
His first marriage was to Meredith Schwarz, his high school sweetheart, from 2004 to 2009. This marriage ended in divorce and they do not have any children together.
In Summary: Pete Hegseth’s Family Life
To answer the question “who does Pete Hegseth have kids with?”, the answer is with both his second wife, Samantha Deering, and his current wife, Jennifer Rauchet. He has three children with Samantha Deering and one child with Jennifer Rauchet. Additionally, he is a stepfather to Jennifer Rauchet’s three children, bringing his total to seven children in a blended family. As Pete Hegseth steps into his new role as Secretary of Defense, understanding his family life provides a more complete picture of this public figure.
