Pete Hegseth's Seven Children: A Look at His Sons and Daughters

Pete Hegseth is a father to seven children from his marriages to Samantha Deering and Jennifer Hegseth. His family includes sons from his previous marriage and a blended family with Jennifer, who also has children from a prior relationship.

Three Sons with Samantha Deering

During his seven-year marriage to Samantha Deering, Pete Hegseth welcomed three sons. Their first child, Gunner, was born on June 13, 2010. Peter Boone followed on August 7, 2012, and Rex arrived in October 2015. Pete often shares moments with his sons, including trips to New York Knicks games and summer beach outings. In 2024, Peter Boone made headlines by being elected class president, a first in the Hegseth family.

Daughter with Jennifer Hegseth

After his relationship with Samantha ended, Pete welcomed a daughter, Gwendolyn, with Jennifer Hegseth on August 16, 2017. Jennifer, who previously worked as a producer on his Fox & Friends show, has three children from an earlier marriage. Pete and Jennifer married in August 2019, forming a blended family that often shares their experiences on social media.

Stepfather Role

Despite raising Jennifers children from a previous relationship, Pete has expressed that he does not identify as a stepfather. In an interview, he emphasized that their family is united by faith, without distinctions of steps or halves.

Life in Tennessee

In August 2022, the family relocated to Middle Tennessee, including the Nashville area, to enroll their children in a private Christian academy. Pete shared the move on Instagram, highlighting their life together as a family of nine.

All Children at Official Events

All seven Hegseth children were present when Pete was sworn in as U.S. Secretary of Defense in January 2025. Jennifer shared photos of the event, including a group hug with the children.

Fun Family Insights

In a 2025 podcast, Pete humorously discussed who he would trust to babysit his children, naming Vice President JD Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy while jokingly ruling out others. He also mentioned which political figures might be rolled by his kids, reflecting the lively and close-knit nature of his family.

Author: Noah Whitman