Pete Hegseth Net Worth: Get All Scoop On The New Secretary of Defence (2025), Education, and Wife

Peter Brian Hegseth is 44 years old, having been born on June 6, 1980, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a prominent American government official, television presenter, author, and Army veteran. He is currently serving as the 29th Secretary of Defense of the United States, having been confirmed on January 24, 2025. Hegseth’s life and career have been marked by a blend of military service, political activism, and media presence.

Who is Pete Hegseth?

Attribute	Details
Age	44 years
Education	Princeton University (BA Politics)
Parents	Brian Hegseth (father) and Penny Hegseth (mother)
Religion	Christian
Work	29th Secretary of Defense of the United States
New Wife	Jennifer Rauchet
Ex Wife	Samantha Deering
First Wife	Meredith Schwarz
Biological Children	Gunnar Hegseth, Boone Hegseth, Rex Hegseth, and Gwen
Net Worth	$6 million
Salary	$246,400 annually
Tattoos	Jerusalem Cross, Chi-Rho, American Flag with AR-15 among others
Height	6 feet (1.80 meters)

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Pete Hegseth Early Life and Education

Hegseth was raised in Forest Lake, Minnesota, where he was the son of Brian and Penny Hegseth. He excelled academically and athletically at Forest Lake Area High School, graduating as valedictorian in 1999. He pursued higher education at Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics in 2003.

His senior thesis focused on “Modern Presidential Rhetoric and the Cold War Context,” reflecting his early interest in political discourse. During his time at Princeton, Hegseth was actively involved in conservative student politics. He served as publisher of The Princeton Tory, the university’s conservative student newspaper.

His tenure there was controversial; he published opinions that sparked significant debate around sensitive topics such as sexual consent on college campuses.

Military Career

Following his graduation from Princeton, Hegseth was commissioned as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army National Guard (Minnesota National Guard). His military career included multiple deployments: he served at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in 2004-2005 as part of the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. He served as an infantry platoon leader and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service.

In July 2005, Hegseth volunteered for deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served in Baghdad and Samarra from 2005 to 2006, where he held various roles including civil-military operations officer. During his time in Iraq, he earned the Bronze Star Medal for his leadership and contributions to military operations.

Hegseth’s military accolades also include two Army Commendation Medals and the Combat Infantryman Badge. After returning home from Iraq, he continued to serve in the National Guard until 2014, including a deployment to Afghanistan where he trained Afghan security forces. His experiences shaped his views on military policy and veterans’ affairs, leading him to become an advocate for veterans’ rights after leaving active service.

Transition to Civilian Life

After completing his military service, Hegseth transitioned into civilian life with a focus on veterans’ advocacy and conservative politics. He became the executive director of Vets for Freedom (VFF), a nonprofit organization that advocated for increased military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, VFF faced financial difficulties under his leadership, leading to scrutiny regarding financial management practices.

In addition to VFF, Hegseth served as president of Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), which aimed to promote policies beneficial to veterans and their families. His tenure at CVA was also marred by allegations of financial mismanagement and personal misconduct that ultimately led to his resignation. Despite these controversies, Hegseth maintained a prominent role within conservative circles.

Media Career

Hegseth’s media career began with appearances on Fox News as a political commentator. He became a well-known face on the network, particularly as a co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend from 2017 until 2024. His commentary often reflects strong conservative views on issues such as national security, veterans’ affairs, and military policy.

In 2020, he published American Crusade, a book that critiques leftist ideologies and advocates for conservative principles in American society. His follow-up book, The War on Warriors, released in 2024, further explores themes related to military service and veteran advocacy.

Political Involvement

Hegseth emerged as a vocal supporter of Donald Trump during the latter’s presidential campaign in 2016. Following Trump’s election, Hegseth served as an informal advisor and advocate for veterans’ issues within the administration. He played a notable role in encouraging Trump to issue pardons for several soldiers accused of war crimes.

In January 2025, Trump nominated Hegseth as Secretary of Defense for his second administration—a move that sparked significant media attention due to past allegations against him related to sexual misconduct and financial improprieties during his leadership roles in veterans’ organizations. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hegseth faced intense scrutiny regarding these allegations but denied them vehemently, he maintained that these allegations were unfounded and part of a smear campaign against him.

His confirmation process highlighted deep divisions within the Senate regarding his suitability for the role. Ultimately, Pete was confirmed by a narrow margin after Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote. His views on women in combat roles also came under fire during this period; while he initially stated that women should not serve in ground combat positions, he later softened this stance during discussions with senators. 

These controversies have raised questions about how his leadership could impact military policy if confirmed.

Current Role as Secretary of Defense

As Secretary of Defense, Hegseth faces significant challenges including ongoing conflicts abroad and domestic military readiness issues. He has pledged to restore what he describes as “warrior culture” to the Pentagon while focusing on enhancing military lethality amidst evolving global threats. Hegseth’s confirmation comes at a time when the U.S. military is navigating complex geopolitical landscapes including tensions with Russia and China.

His leadership style is expected to reflect his past experiences both on the battlefield and within the political arena.

Pete Hegseth Wives

First Wife Meredith Schwarz

Pete Hegseth married Meredith Schwarz in 2024, his high school girlfriend from Forest Lake, Minnesota. They were voted “most likely to marry” in high school and had a seemingly perfect relationship during their early years together. The couple divorced in 2009 after five years of marriage, primarily due to Hegseth’s admission of multiple affairs.

This infidelity was a significant factor in the divorce proceedings, which left Schwarz emotionally devastated.

Second Wife Samantha Deering

Hegseth married Samantha Deering in 2010, whom he met while working at Vets for Freedom. Together, they had three children: two sons and a daughter; Gunnar Hegseth, Boone Hegseth, and Rex Hegseth. While still married to Deering, Hegseth had a daughter named Gwen with Jennifer Rauchet, a Fox News executive producer in August 2017.

This revelation led to significant turmoil in his marriage. Deering filed for divorce in September 2017, which was finalized ten months later in 2018.

Pete Hegseth Wife Jennifer Rauchet

Hegseth married Jennifer Rauchet at the Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck, New Jersey on August 16, 2019. Their relationship began while both were still married to other partners, leading to controversy within Fox News. Together, Hegseth and Rauchet have one daughter, Gwen.

Rauchet also has three children from her previous marriage, making their family a blended unit of seven children in total. Hegseth currently resides in Tennessee, where he has undergone a religious transformation since marrying Rauchet. He is affiliated with Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship, a church within the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches.

Pete Hegseth Religion

Pete Hegseth identifies as a Christian and has expressed a strong commitment to his faith, which he describes as central to his life and values. His beliefs are influenced by a movement known as Christian Reconstruction, which advocates for a society governed by biblical law and seeks to establish America as a Christian nation. This ideology emphasizes conservative views on family and gender roles, and it opposes modern secular education systems.

Hegseth was raised in a Christian household, attending a Baptist church, but has acknowledged that during his youth, his faith was not deeply integrated into all aspects of his life. He described himself as having “a Christian veneer but a secular core,” indicating that while he identified as a Christian, he did not fully embody the faith in his daily actions or beliefs until later in life. In recent years, particularly after moving to Tennessee, Hegseth has become more vocal about his faith and its importance in guiding his family and public life.

He emphasizes the role of fathers in leading their families toward Christ, asserting that this guidance is crucial for the next generation. His writings reflect an aggressive form of Christianity, where he sees a cultural battle against secularism and liberal ideologies as part of his religious duty. Hegseth’s religious views have drawn both support and criticism.

Hegseth has been described as holding Christian nationalist beliefs, which some commentators argue could conflict with the nonpartisan nature of military service if he were to assume a significant government role. His advocacy for integrating faith into public life and governance raises questions about the relationship between religion and politics in contemporary America.

Pete Hegseth Net Worth

As of January 2025, Pete Hegseth’s net worth is estimated to be $6 million. This figure has been shaped significantly by his career in media, particularly his tenure at Fox News, where he has earned substantial income from various roles and activities.

Pete Hegseth Fox News Salary

Hegseth’s primary source of income is his salary from Fox News. Over the past two years (2023-2024), he earned approximately $4.6 million, translating to an estimated annual salary of around $2 million before bonuses and other benefits. This aligns with compensation typical for hosts at similar networks. Following his appointment as Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth’s salary would be significantly lower at $246,400.

In addition to his television salary, Hegseth has diversified his income through:

• Speaking Engagements: He earned about $900,000 from delivering 41 paid speeches across the country.
• Book Sales: His publications have also contributed to his wealth. He received $348,000 for “The War on Warriors” and $150,000 for “Battle for the American Mind,” along with royalties ranging from $100,000 to $1 million for each book.
• Investments: Hegseth has investments in stocks, including tech giants like Apple and Microsoft, along with defense corporations such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

Investments

Hegseth’s investment portfolio includes:

A retirement account valued between $250,000 and $500,000. Direct ownership of stocks worth several hundred thousand dollars. Real estate investments, including a significant property in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, purchased for $3.425 million, which features a large mansion.

This multifaceted approach to generating income has allowed Hegseth to build a substantial net worth while navigating both media and political landscapes effectively.

Pete Hegseth’s Tattoos and Meaning

Pete is also a fan of ink and art. Hegseth has inked several tattoos on his skin including:

Jerusalem Cross: A large cross with four smaller crosses surrounding it. This symbol is historically linked to the Crusades and has been interpreted as a representation of Christian faith. Hegseth has defended it as a “historic Christian symbol,” noting its presence at significant Christian events, such as former President Jimmy Carter’s memorial service.

“Deus Vult:” A phrase tattooed on his bicep. Translated from Latin, it means “God wills it.” This phrase was historically used during the Crusades and has been controversially adopted by some far-right groups, leading to debates about its implications in modern contexts.

Cross and Sword with Hebrew Letters: A tattoo that combines a cross and a sword, enhanced with Hebrew lettering. The tattoo references Matthew 10:34 from the New Testament, which states, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” The Hebrew letters spell “Yahweh,” which is sometimes interpreted as “Jesus” in Hebrew contexts.

Chi-Rho: The Greek letters Chi (Χ) and Rho (Ρ). These letters are the first two characters of the Greek word for Christ and serve as an early Christian monogram, symbolizing faith in Jesus Christ.

“We the People:” The phrase from the U.S. Constitution tattooed on his forearm. This tattoo signifies patriotism and a commitment to American values, particularly those enshrined in the Constitution.

1775 in Roman Numerals: The year 1775 inked above “We the People.” This date marks Georgia’s joining of the other colonies at the Second Continental Congress, symbolizing early American unity during the Revolutionary War.

“Join or Die” Snake: A depiction of Benjamin Franklin’s famous cartoon showing a segmented snake. This image was originally intended to encourage colonial unity against British rule during the French and Indian War and later revived during the American Revolution.

American Flag with AR-15: An American flag where part of the stripes is represented by an AR-15 rifle. This tattoo is a personal tribute to Hegseth’s military service, specifically referencing his deployment in Iraq where he carried an AR-15.

Infantry Regiment Patch (187th Infantry): The coat of arms of his army regiment tattooed on his shoulder. This tattoo honors his service in the 187th Infantry Regiment, which has historical significance dating back to World War II, featuring its motto “Ne Desit Virtus,” meaning “Let Valor Not Fall”.

FAQs About Pete Hegseth

References:

Wikipedia

BBC

Aljazeera