From working behind the scenes at Fox News to standing beside Pete Hegseth at the White House, Jennifer Rauchet has been a consistent force in his personal and professional life — now as his wife and partner in public service. As Hegseth took on the role of U.S. Secretary of Defense in 2025, Rauchet remained firmly by his side, both as a supporter and part of their close-knit family.

Their relationship began under complex circumstances. Both were married to other people when they welcomed a daughter, Gwendolyn, in 2017. Hegseth had previously been through two marriages — first to high school sweetheart Meredith Schwarz, and then to Samantha Deering, with whom he shares children. Rauchet, too, was ending a marriage and raising three children of her own.

At the time, Rauchet was a producer for Fox & Friends, the same show Hegseth began co-hosting in 2017. After their relationship…