Pete Hegseth Children: A Deep Dive Into His Blended Family Life
When Pete Hegseth was confirmed as the 29th United States Secretary of Defense in January 2025, the spotlight didn’t just shine on his military background and controversial confirmation hearings—it also illuminated his large, blended family. Behind the political headlines and Fox News career lies a father of seven who has navigated the complexities of multiple marriages, stepparenting, and raising children with strong values rooted in faith and patriotism.
Who Is Pete Hegseth? A Brief Overview
Pete Hegseth rose to national prominence as a Fox News host, military veteran, and conservative political commentator. Born on June 6, 1980, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Hegseth built a multifaceted career spanning military service, television broadcasting, and authorship. His transformation from Army National Guard officer to Fox & Friends Weekend co-host to Secretary of Defense represents one of the most unconventional paths to Pentagon leadership in American history.
Pete Hegseth Children: The Complete Family Breakdown
How Many Children Does Pete Hegseth Have?
Pete Hegseth is father to four biological children and stepfather to three more, creating a blended family of seven. His four biological children come from two different marriages—three sons with his second wife, Samantha Deering, and one daughter with his current wife, Jennifer Rauchet. He embraced the role of stepfather to Jennifer’s three children from her previous marriage, though he reportedly rejects the “stepfather” label, considering all seven as simply his children.
Meet Pete Hegseth’s Biological Children
Gunner Hegseth is Pete’s eldest son, born on June 13, 2010, making him 15 years old as of 2025. The name “Gunner” reflects Hegseth’s military background and signals the values Pete wanted to instill from birth—a connection to service, duty, and American military tradition. Gunner has occasionally appeared on his father’s social media and even made appearances on Fox & Friends.
Boone Hegseth, the second son, was born on August 7, 2012, and is 13 years old. Named after Daniel Boone, the famous American frontiersman, this choice reflects Hegseth’s appreciation for American history and pioneering spirit. Like his older brother, Boone has been raised with a strong emphasis on traditional American values and Christianity.
Rex Brian Hegseth, the third son, was born on October 1, 2015, and is 10 years old. When Rex was born, Pete announced his arrival on Instagram with a photo showing the newborn being held by his older brothers, emphasizing the brotherhood developing among his sons.
Gwendolyn (Gwen) Hegseth, Pete’s only daughter, was born in August 2017 and is 8 years old. Her birth marked a significant turning point in Pete’s personal life. Despite controversial circumstances surrounding her birth during the overlap of his second marriage ending, Gwen has become a cherished member of the Hegseth household.
The Stepchildren: Jackson, Luke, and Kenzie
Jennifer Rauchet brought three children—Jackson, Luke, and Kenzie—from her previous marriage into the family. While Pete has been more private about his stepchildren’s specific details to protect their privacy, he’s made it clear that he doesn’t view them as anything less than his own kids. Hegseth speaks of raising all seven children together as one unified family unit, emphasizing that faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation binding them together.
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Pete Hegseth’s Marriages: The Road to His Current Family
Pete married his first wife, Meredith Schwarz, in 2004, but the marriage ended in divorce in 2009 with no children. His second marriage was to Samantha Deering in 2010, and they had three sons together before filing for divorce in 2017. The marriage dissolution came amid reports of Pete’s relationship with Jennifer Rauchet, who was pregnant with their daughter Gwendolyn while Pete was still married to Samantha.
In 2019, Hegseth married Jennifer Rauchet, a Fox News executive producer, at Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck in New Jersey. Their wedding symbolized a fresh start and the official merging of their two families into one. They currently reside in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, where they’re raising their children with a strong emphasis on Christian education and values.
Pete Hegseth’s Parenting Philosophy
Faith as the Foundation
Pete Hegseth has been remarkably open about his Christian faith being central to his parenting approach. He’s stated that his primary goal as a father is introducing his children to Jesus Christ, viewing this as more important than any other achievement. Hegseth experienced a religious transformation in 2018 after he and Jennifer began attending church in New Jersey.
The family later moved to Tennessee specifically to enroll their children in Jonathan Edwards Classical Academy, a Christian school that aligns with their values. This commitment to classical Christian education represents a significant investment in ensuring their children receive what they consider a proper moral and intellectual foundation.
Military Values and Patriotism
Given his military background, Pete hopes his sons will consider military service. In his book The War on Warriors, Hegseth wrote letters to his sons expressing his hopes for them to join the military. This emphasis on service, duty, and country permeates the Hegseth household. Pete frequently shares photos of his children at patriotic events and military ceremonies.
Life as the Secretary of Defense’s Children
With Pete Hegseth’s confirmation as Secretary of Defense in January 2025, his children’s lives have undoubtedly changed. Living in the public eye has intensified, with increased security measures and media scrutiny affecting the entire family. Despite these challenges, Pete and Jennifer have worked to maintain as much normalcy as possible. The family’s move to Tennessee before Pete’s appointment has provided some buffer from the Washington D.C. political scene.
Pete Hegseth: Biography and Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Brian Hegseth |
| Date of Birth | June 6, 1980 |
| Age | 45 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA |
| Height | 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 meters) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | BA in Politics from Princeton University (2003); Master of Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School |
| Military Service | U.S. Army National Guard (Major); served at Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan |
| Military Awards | Two Bronze Star Medals, Army Commendation Medal |
| Career Highlights | Fox & Friends Weekend co-host (2017-2024), 29th U.S. Secretary of Defense (2025-present) |
| Notable Books | In the Arena, American Crusade, Modern Warriors, Battle for the American Mind, The War on Warriors |
| Marital Status | Married to Jennifer Rauchet (2019-present) |
| Previous Marriages | Meredith Schwarz (2004-2009), Samantha Deering (2010-2017) |
| Children | 7 total (4 biological, 3 stepchildren) |
| Current Residence | Goodlettsville, Tennessee |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | $3-6 million |
| Religion | Christian |
Pete Hegseth Social Media Links
| Platform | Link/Username |
|---|---|
| Instagram (Personal) | @petehegseth |
| Twitter/X | @PeteHegseth |
The Challenges of a Blended Family in the Public Eye
Raising seven children while serving in one of the most visible government positions adds layers of complexity. The Hegseth family faces unique pressures including media scrutiny, security concerns, political division, and co-parenting challenges with Pete’s ex-wife. Every aspect of Pete’s personal life has been documented and analyzed, creating an environment where his children may encounter difficult questions about their father.
What Pete Hegseth’s Children Reveal About His Character
Despite his controversial past and political divisiveness, Pete’s commitment to his children appears genuine and consistent. He frequently speaks about fatherhood as his most important role, even above his position as Secretary of Defense. His willingness to embrace all seven children equally, his investment in their Christian education, and his openness about his hopes for them demonstrate a man who takes parenting seriously.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
How many children does Pete Hegseth have in total?
Pete Hegseth has seven children total—four biological children (three sons with his second wife Samantha Deering and one daughter with his current wife Jennifer Rauchet) and three stepchildren from Jennifer’s previous marriage.
What are Pete Hegseth’s children’s names and ages?
His biological children are Gunner (15, born June 13, 2010), Boone (13, born August 7, 2012), Rex (10, born October 1, 2015), and Gwendolyn/Gwen (8, born August 2017). His stepchildren are Jackson, Luke, and Kenzie, though their specific ages are kept more private.
Did Pete Hegseth have children with his first wife?
No, Pete Hegseth did not have any children with his first wife, Meredith Schwarz. They were married from 2004 to 2009 but divorced without having children together.
Where does Pete Hegseth live with his family?
Pete Hegseth and his family reside in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, where they chose to live specifically to enroll their children in Jonathan Edwards Classical Academy, a Christian school that aligns with their values.
What is Pete Hegseth’s approach to raising his children?
Pete emphasizes Christian faith as the foundation of his parenting, with introducing his children to Jesus Christ as his most important goal. He values classical Christian education, patriotism, and hopes his sons will consider military service. He treats all seven children equally, rejecting the “stepfather” label.
Who is Pete Hegseth’s current wife and mother of his daughter?
Pete Hegseth is married to Jennifer Rauchet, a Fox News executive producer. They married in 2019 and have one daughter together, Gwendolyn, born in August 2017. Jennifer also has three children from a previous marriage.
Has Pete Hegseth’s role as Secretary of Defense affected his children?
Yes, his position has increased security measures, media scrutiny, and public attention on the family. However, Pete and Jennifer work to maintain normalcy, and their Tennessee residence provides some buffer from the Washington D.C. political scene.
