Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and Donald Trump’s controversial nominee for Secretary of Defense, has lived a deeply scrutinized personal life alongside his high-profile career. His marital history is marked by three marriages, allegations of infidelity, and a blended family of seven children.
Despite his accomplishments in the military and media, Hegseth’s private life has often overshadowed his professional achievements, leading to widespread public and media interest.
Pete Hegseth’s Three Marriages: Who Are His Wives?
Pete Hegseth has been married three times and has seven children in a blended family. He first married Meredith Schwarz in 2004, divorced in 2009 due to his infidelity, and later married Samantha Deering in 2010, with whom he had three children before divorcing in 2017 after fathering a child with Jennifer Rauchet, his current wife and a Fox News producer. Hegseth and Rauchet, who married in 2019, co-parent their daughter along with his children from Samantha and her three children from a previous marriage, creating a household frequently in the public eye amidst controversy.
Hegseth’s first marriage was to Meredith Schwarz, his high school sweetheart from Minnesota. The two married in 2004, embarking on what seemed to be a promising union. However, their relationship ended in 2009 after five years, with reports revealing Hegseth’s infidelity as the cause of their divorce. According to The New Yorker, Hegseth admitted to multiple affairs during this marriage, which concluded relatively quietly compared to the public attention his later relationships would attract.
Following the dissolution of his first marriage, Hegseth married Samantha Deering in 2010. This relationship appeared more stable initially, as the couple welcomed three children together and built a family life. However, cracks began to show when Hegseth started an affair with Jennifer Rauchet, a Fox News producer, while still married to Deering. The affair became public in 2017 when Rauchet gave birth to their daughter, Gwendolyn Hope Hegseth, in August of that year. This event ultimately led to the breakdown of Hegseth’s marriage to Deering, with their divorce finalized later in 2017.
Hegseth’s relationship with Jennifer Rauchet, his third and current wife, has been the most publicly scrutinized. Rauchet, a senior television producer at Fox News, met Hegseth while both worked on Fox & Friends. Their affair not only drew criticism for occurring while both were married to others but also caused workplace tension, leading to Rauchet being reassigned to a different show.
Despite the controversy, Hegseth and Rauchet married in 2019 in a high-profile ceremony at the Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck, New Jersey. The event was attended by notable conservative figures, showcasing Hegseth’s ties to the political and media elite.
Pete Hegseth and His Current Wife, Jennifer Rauchet, Are Parents to Seven Children
The Hegseth-Rauchet household is a blended family of seven children. Pete shares three children with Samantha Deering and one daughter, Gwen, with Rauchet. Jennifer brings three children from her previous marriage, making for a complex family dynamic. Rauchet often shares glimpses of their life on social media, portraying a harmonious and united family. On their wedding day, she posted on Instagram, “Feeling perfectly and happily blended (officially)!” Despite public and political scrutiny, the couple emphasizes their commitment to their children and each other.
Hegseth’s personal life has not been without further controversy. Beyond his marriages, allegations of s*xual misconduct and criticism of his character have persisted. In 2017, a woman accused Hegseth of s*xual assault during a convention in Monterey, California. While Hegseth’s legal team settled the case in 2020, the allegations resurfaced during his Senate confirmation hearing in 2025, where Senator Tim Kaine grilled him over the incident and his history of infidelity. Hegseth maintained his innocence, labeling the charges false and emphasizing his gratitude for his current marriage.
Throughout his tumultuous personal journey, Hegseth has remained a polarizing figure. His critics view his actions as reflective of larger issues of character and integrity, while his supporters highlight his professional contributions and achievements. Balancing a decorated military career, a prominent role in conservative media, and a complicated family life, Hegseth continues to steer the challenges of being both a public figure and a father.
