Pete Hegseth was born Peter Brian Hegseth on June 6, 1980, in Forest Lake, Minnesota. Raised by parents Penny and Brian Hegseth, Pete grew up alongside two brothers in a traditional Midwestern household. He graduated from Forest Lake Area High School before heading off to Princeton University. At Princeton, he not only earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2003 but also made his mark as a contributor to the conservative student publication The Princeton Tory and as a member of the men’s basketball team.
In 2013, Hegseth furthered his education with a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, enhancing his credentials in policy and governance.
Military Career and Public Service
After college, Pete began his professional journey as an equity capital markets analyst at Bear Stearns. However, it was his service in the Army National Guard that shaped much of his identity. He was deployed as an infantry platoon leader at Guantánamo Bay in 2004 and later served in Iraq and Afghanistan. His military roles included combat operations in Baghdad and Samarra and instruction at Kabul’s Counterinsurgency Training Center.
For his service, Hegseth earned numerous accolades, including:
- Two Bronze Star Medals
- Two Army Commendation Medals
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Expert Infantryman Badge
- Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals
He ultimately rose to the rank of major in the Individual Ready Reserve.
Transition into Politics and Advocacy
Hegseth returned from active duty with a passion for conservative policy and veterans’ advocacy. He served as executive director for Vets For Freedom and later Concerned Veterans for America, both organizations focused on influencing U.S. military and veterans policies. During his time at CVA, which was backed by Charles and David Koch, Pete was both influential and controversial, especially when he hired his brother Philip for a well-paying media relations position.
In 2012, Pete tried his hand at politics by seeking the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota. He dropped out after the state convention. Around this time, he also formed MN PAC, though an investigative report later accused him of misusing funds.
Fox News Career and Rise to Fame
Pete Hegseth joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014, gradually becoming one of the network’s most recognizable faces. His on-air persona was unapologetically conservative, earning both praise and criticism.
He regularly appeared on programs including:
- Fox & Friends
- Tucker Carlson Tonight
- Hannity
- Watters’ World
- The Greg Gutfeld Show
In 2020, he hosted and produced the Fox Nation special Battle in the Holy City, focusing on religious conflict in Jerusalem. His voice became even more prominent during Donald Trump’s presidency, with Hegseth acting as an informal advisor to the former president.
Book Publishing Success
Pete has authored several best-selling books that have boosted both his public image and income:
- In the Arena: Good Citizens, a Great Republic, and How One Speech Can Reinvigorate America (2016)
- American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free (2020)
- Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes (2020)
- Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation (2022)
- The War on Warriors (publication date undisclosed)
His publishing income has been significant, with disclosures revealing $348,000 from Harper Collins for The War on Warriors and $150,000 for Battle for the American Mind, plus $100,000 to $1 million in total royalties.
Financial Profile and Net Worth
As of 2025, Pete Hegseth’s estimated net worth is approximately $6 million. His wealth comes from various sources:
Fox News Salary
Hegseth’s most substantial income stream is his Fox News salary. According to financial disclosures during his confirmation hearings in early 2025, Pete earned $4,602,340 from Fox over two years, suggesting an annual salary of roughly $2 million before bonuses.
Speaking Engagements
In addition to broadcasting, Hegseth earned $900,000 from 40 speaking engagements in a two-year period.
Book Royalties
As noted, his publishing deals added between $598,000 and over $1 million to his earnings.
Investments and Assets
Pete holds between $250,000 to $500,000 in a Vanguard retirement account and owns hundreds of thousands in stocks. His overall investment strategy reflects a balanced portfolio with long-term retirement planning.
Secretary of Defense Appointment
In November 2024, Donald Trump selected Pete to serve as Secretary of Defense. If confirmed, his new federal salary would be $246,400 annually, a steep drop compared to his Fox salary but a significant milestone in his public service career.
Real Estate Holdings
Hegseth’s real estate portfolio includes a luxury home and a profitable sale:
Tennessee Mansion
In June 2022, Pete purchased a 9,000-square-foot mansion in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, for $3.425 million. The estate features four bedrooms and seven bathrooms and is mortgaged in the range of $1 to $5 million.
Former Baltimore Home
He previously owned a property in Baltimore, Maryland, which he sold in 2023, realizing a gain of $100,000 to $1 million according to his financial disclosures.
Personal Life and Beliefs
Pete has been married three times. His first marriage to Meredith Schwarz ended in divorce in 2009. He then married Samantha Deering in 2010, and they had three sons: Rex, Boone, and Gunner. During this marriage, Pete had a daughter, Gwen, with Fox producer Jennifer Rauchet. He and Deering divorced in 2017, and Pete married Rauchet in 2019. Jennifer has three children from a previous marriage, making them a blended family of seven children.
A devout Christian, Pete often speaks about his faith, stating in 2022, “The only thing that matters is introducing [my kids] to Jesus Christ.”
Controversies and Public Criticisms
Despite his accomplishments, Pete Hegseth has not been without controversy:
Axe Incident
In June 2015, during a live broadcast, Hegseth accidentally injured a West Point drummer with an axe. Thankfully, the injury was minor.
Media and Political Statements
- In 2018, he criticized The New York Times for failing to report on ISIS leader captures, although they had already done so.
- He allegedly influenced President Trump’s decision to consider pardons for military personnel charged with war crimes.
- In 2019, he accused Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of having a “Hamas agenda.”
- In 2020, he suggested that Democrats were exaggerating or even inventing the COVID-19 Omicron variant for political gain.
Awards and Decorations
In addition to his Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medals, Pete Hegseth’s military honors also include:
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
Final Thoughts
Pete Hegseth’s journey from Princeton conservative activist to high-profile Fox News host, and now potential Secretary of Defense, represents a dynamic and often polarizing career path. With a net worth of around $6 million, built from media, speaking engagements, book deals, and real estate, Hegseth has secured a solid financial foundation.
He remains a figure deeply embedded in conservative politics, frequently at the center of national debates on media, patriotism, military ethics, and faith. Love him or loathe him, Pete Hegseth continues to be a key player in the American political-media landscape.
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