eter Brian Hegseth, born on June 6, 1980, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is an American television presenter, author, and former National Guard officer who has served as the United States Secretary of Defense since January 25, 2025.
Early Life and Education
Hegseth was raised in Forest Lake, Minnesota, where he attended Forest Lake Area High School. He graduated in 1999 as valedictorian and was later inducted into the school’s hall of fame. During his high school years, he was an active athlete, playing for the school’s football team and serving as a point guard in basketball. He earned school records in career and single-season three-point throws and single-season three-point shooting percentage. Hegseth was twice named all-conference and earned all-state honors as a senior.
He pursued higher education at Princeton University, majoring in politics. At Princeton, Hegseth was involved in various activities, including playing for the men’s basketball team, the Tigers, and serving as the publisher and later editor-in-chief of The Princeton Tory, a conservative student newspaper. In April 2002, he declared that as publisher, he would “defend the pillars of Western civilization against the distractions of diversity.” He graduated from Princeton in June 2003.
Following his undergraduate studies, Hegseth earned a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. However, he later mailed this degree back to Harvard in protest of the institution’s direction.
Personal Life and Family
In 2004, Hegseth married his high school girlfriend, Meredith Schwarz. The couple divorced in 2009 after he admitted to multiple affairs. In 2010, he married his second wife, Samantha Deering, with whom he has three sons. During his marriage to Samantha, Hegseth had a daughter, Gwen, in August 2017, with Fox executive producer Jennifer Rauchet. Following this, Samantha filed for divorce in September 2017, which was finalized in 2018. Hegseth and Rauchet married on August 16, 2019, and together they have seven children from their previous relationships.
In 2018, during his divorce proceedings from his second wife, his mother, Penelope Hegseth, sent him an email criticizing his treatment of women. The email stated:
“You are an abuser of women – that is the ugly truth and I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man (and have been for years) and as your mother it pains me and embarrasses me to say that, but it is the sad, sad truth … It’s time for someone (I wish it was a strong man) to stand up to your abusive behavior and call it out, especially against women.”
The New York Times published this email in November 2024 after Trump announced his intention to nominate Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Penelope Hegseth later stated that she had written it “in anger, with emotion” and had “immediately apologized in a separate email,” adding that her previous characterization had “never been true.”
Hegseth resides in Tennessee with his wife and children. He has stated that he underwent a religious transformation in 2018 following his marriage to his third wife. He is a member of Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship, a church in the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches. Hegseth has several tattoos, including a Jerusalem cross on his chest and one reading “Deus Vult,” a Latin phrase meaning “God wills it,” on his bicep.
Detailed Bio Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Brian Hegseth |
| Date of Birth | June 6, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Education | – B.A. in Politics, Princeton University – M.P.P., Harvard University |
| Military Service | – U.S. Army (2003–2006, 2010–2014, 2019–2021) – Rank: Major – Deployments: Iraq, Afghanistan – Awards: Bronze Star (2), Combat Infantryman Badge |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Current Position | U.S. Secretary of Defense (since January 25, 2025) |
| Parents | Information not publicly available |
| Height | 6 feet (183 cm) |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $4 million as of 2025 |
Military Career
After graduating from Princeton in 2003, Hegseth was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army through the university’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. He briefly worked as an equity-markets analyst at Bear Stearns before completing his basic training at Fort Moore in Columbus, Georgia, in 2004. He then served for eleven months as a Minnesota National Guardsman at Guantanamo Bay detention camp, leading a platoon of soldiers from the New Jersey National Guard guarding imprisoned terrorists. By July 2005, he had returned to Bear Stearns; shortly thereafter, he volunteered in the Iraq War as an infantry officer, where he received a Bronze Star Medal. Hegseth served in the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment in the 101st Airborne Division, led by Colonel Michael D. Steele. He began his tour in Baghdad before moving to Samarra, serving as a civil affairs officer, working with the city council and forming an alliance with councilmember Asaad Ali Yaseen. Hegseth has described a near-death experience in Iraq in which a rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle but failed to detonate.
In 2011, Hegseth enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard as a captain. He volunteered to teach at the Counterinsurgency Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan, for eight months during the withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan; he taught one of the final classes at the school. After completing his tour in 2014, he was promoted to major and enlisted in the Individual Ready Reserve. Through the reserve, he joined the District of Columbia Army National Guard in June 2019 as a traditional drilling service member, remaining in duty until March 2021. He was barred from serving on duty at the inauguration of Joe Biden after a guardsman flagged Hegseth as an “insider threat,” noting a tattoo on
| Year | Position/Role | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Commissioned as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer | Joined the military through Princeton’s ROTC program. |
| 2004–2005 | Served at Guantanamo Bay | Led a National Guard platoon guarding detainees. |
| 2005–2006 | Deployed to Iraq War | Served in the 101st Airborne Division, earning a Bronze Star. |
| 2010–2011 | Served in Afghanistan | Worked at the Counterinsurgency Training Center in Kabul. |
| 2011–2014 | Captain in the Minnesota National Guard | Re-enlisted and continued military service. |
| 2019–2021 | Joined the D.C. Army National Guard | Served as a Major in the Individual Ready Reserve. |
| 2007–2012 | Executive Director, Vets for Freedom | Advocated for U.S. military strategies in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| 2012–2015 | CEO, Concerned Veterans for America | Promoted conservative veterans’ policies. |
| 2014–2024 | Fox News Contributor & Co-Host | Hosted “Fox & Friends Weekend” and wrote political books. |
| 2025–Present | U.S. Secretary of Defense | Appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the Pentagon. |
Latest News
In a significant policy announcement today, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed NATO allies in Brussels, urging Ukraine to abandon the “illusory goal” of restoring its pre-2014 borders. He advocated for a negotiated settlement with Russia, supported by an international peacekeeping force that would exclude U.S. troops. This stance aligns with President Donald Trump’s strategy to encourage European nations to take greater responsibility for Ukraine’s defense. Hegseth’s remarks signal a notable shift in U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing diplomatic resolutions and increased European involvement in regional security matters.
Social Media Accounts
| Platform | Username | Link |
|---|---|---|
| @PeteHegseth | https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth | |
| @petehegseth | https://www.instagram.com/petehegseth/ |
Physical Appearance
Standing at 6 feet (183 cm) tall, Hegseth has a commanding presence. He is known for his clean-cut appearance, often seen in professional attire during his media and political engagements.
Net Worth as of 2025
As of 2025, Pete Hegseth’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million, accumulated through his military service, media career, authorship, and political roles.
FAQs
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How many years did Pete Hegseth serve in the military?
Pete Hegseth served in the military for approximately 12 years (2003–2006, 2010–2014, 2019–2021). -
Who is the next Secretary of Defense?
As of 2025, Pete Hegseth is serving as the U.S. Secretary of Defense. -
Who is the smallest man to serve in the military?
Richard J. Flaherty, at 4’9″ (145 cm), was the shortest known U.S. military officer, serving as a Green Beret in Vietnam. -
Who is the longest-serving soldier?
Sidney Shachnow served for over 40 years in the U.S. Army, from World War II to his retirement as a Major General.
