Pete Hegseth is an influential political figure in the USA as of 2026. Once upon a time, he was an infantry officer serving in the US Army National Guard. Now, this veteran has solidified his presence in national security leadership roles. He served in the army until 2021, then the world saw him rise to prominence as a TV personality and political leader. Pete had several achievements while serving on tour in Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. He has captivated many minds as a political leader as well.
As of 2026, Pete Hegseth is the USA Secretary of War and Defence. He assumed office on January 25, 2025. Pete has caught a lot of attention under the leadership of President Donald Trump. If you are curious to explore his journey, stay tuned. This is a well-structured biography covering Pete Hegseth height, age, early life, education, career, and much more.
Who Is Pete Hegseth?
The official name he was given at birth is Peter Brian Hegseth. He came into this world back on June 6, 1980. Moreover, Pete’s birthplace is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Professionally, he is an army veteran, political leader, author, and TV presenter. Being a political figure, he’s associated with the Republican Party. Pete has served as the US Secretary of Defence and War since January 25, 2025.
In terms of his military career, he was an infantry officer in the US Army National Guard. His rank is known to be Major. Pete’s units are the Minnesota Army National Guard and the District of Columbia Army National Guard. He was a part of the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. Pete’s achievements include two Bronze stars, Joint Service Commendation medals, Combat Infantryman Badge, etc.
Biography Overview
| Official name | Peter Brian Hegseth |
| Nicknames | Pete Hegseth |
| Place of birth | Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA |
| DOB | June 6, 1980 |
| Age | 45 years old (As of January 2026) |
| Zodiac sign | Gemini |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupations | Army veteran, political leader, author, and TV presenter |
| Educational qualification | Post graduate |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital status | Married |
| Net worth | USD 3 Million |
| Affiliation | US Army National Guard |
| Languages spoken | English |
Early Life
He was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Pete’s upbringing took place in a humble Christian family. While growing up, he spent a lot of time around Forest Lake. Professionally, Pete’s father worked as a basketball coach in a local high school.
For the same reason, he even encouraged Pete to stay fit and participate in sports. Meanwhile, his mother was employed as a business trainer. She was involved in several high-class civic leadership programs. Allegedly, Pete was fascinated by people who served in the Army from a young age.
Pete Hegseth Age
Pete’s exact date of birth is June 6, 1980. He is 45 years old as of January 2026. Further, he’ll celebrate his 46th birthday a few months later.
Pete Hegseth Height & Other Physical Stats
| Pete Hegseth Height | 6 feet and 1 inch (185 cm) |
| Weight | 77 kgs |
| Hair color | Salt and pepper |
| Eye color | Hazel green |
| Body type | Athletic and muscular |
| Skin tone | Fair |
Educational Background
For his initial education, Pete studied at the Forest Lake Area High School located in Minnesota. He embarked on his journey of higher education by enrolling at Princeton University. It’s located in New Jersey. From 1999 to 2003, Pete attended Princeton University. Thereafter, he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Politics. He didn’t stop there, as Pete wanted to pursue a Master’s degree. In 2009, he joined the John F Kennedy School of Government. It’s a part of Harvard University (Cambridge). There, Pete earned his Master of Public Policy in 2013.
Family Members of Pete Hegseth
The name of his father is Brian Hegseth. He’s a former high school basketball coach. Pete’s mother goes by the name of Penelope Hegseth. She used to train businessmen until recently. In terms of siblings, he has two brothers. Their names are Philip Hegseth and Nathaniel Hegseth, respectively.
Pete Hegseth Wife & Childrens
Pete married his first wife, Meredith Schwarz, in 2004, and they got divorced in 2009. His second marriage to Samantha Deering took place in 2010. Pete has three sons with his second wife, named Gunnerl, Bonne, and Rex Hegseth. Samantha and Pete were divorced in 2017.
His third and final wife is Jennifer Rauchet. She is an Executive Producer at Fox News. Pete and Jennifer were married in 2019, and they have been enjoying a happy life together ever since. Pete has three sons and two daughters from this third marriage. The three sons are named Kenzie, Jackson, and Luke. Lastly, his daughters are named Gwen and Ridge.
Pete Hegseth Career & Professional Journey
After his studies at college were completed, Pete applied to the Army forces. Eventually, he became a commissioned infantry officer in the US Army National Guard. His deployments ranged from Guantanamo Bay to Afghanistan and Iraq. Earning two Bronze stars is a major highlight of Pete’s military career. After his service in the military came to an end, he started leading multiple advocacy groups, especially for veterans like himself. For example, Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America. Now, it was time for Pete to step into the media industry. Initially, he started working as a contributor for Fox News.
Eventually, he earned the co-host role for a TV show called Fox and Friends. In terms of his political career, President Donald Trump nominated Pete as the Secretary of Defence. This title was renamed to US Secretary of War in 2025. He continues to propose different policies revolving around the armed forces of the USA.
Pete Hegseth Net Worth 2026
According to the latest sources, Pete’s net worth is somewhere around USD 3 million. This is just an estimated figure, and his real-time wealth may have exceeded this value. Pete has a diversified career and multiple sources of income. Even his current wife, Jennifer Rauchet, has a huge fortune.
Pete Hegseth News & Controversies
- In October of 2017, Pete faced serious accusations of sexual assault. It was a 30-year-old woman working as a group staffer. She alleged that the crime of sexual assault took place in a hotel room. First, he denied the accusations and said that it was consensual between them. In 2020, it was uncovered that the woman received a sum of money. And, this money was supposed to be a part of an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement).
- The New York Times accused Pete Hegseth of mockery in May 2018. Specifically, this was in regard to his dialogues on a show called Fox and Friends. This is yet another huge controversy that became a part of his life.
Social Media Handles
| Platform Name | Account Handle | Followers (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| @petehegseth | 1 Million+ | |
| X | @PeteHegseth | 1.8 Million+ |
| Pete Hegseth | 356K+ |
Trivia & Lesser-known Facts About Pete Hegseth
- Pete is of Norwegian ethnicity.
- According to sources, he is politically inclined towards the Republican Party.
- He has multiple tattoos across his body. This includes the right chest, right hand, right forearm, and right bicep.
- The public admires him as a talented author. One of his most prominent books is “The War on Warriors”.
- Pete has faced a lot of criticism and controversies throughout his life.
- He got flagged as a threat by a fellow officer in the US Army due to his Jerusalem cross tattoo.
- The Department of Defence was renamed to the Department of War on September 5, 2025. This also led to the change of Pete’s political title.
FAQs
Q: When did Pete become the US Secretary of War?
January 25, 2025
Q: What are the names of his daughters?
Gwen and Ridge Hegseth
Q: What is his official name?
Peter Brian Hegseth
Q: How old is he currently?
As of January 2026, Pete is 45 years old.
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