Sophia Michaels
Pete Hegseth’s marriage to Jennifer Rauchet gained attention after a troubling incident where he allegedly settled with a woman over sexual assault claims made in 2017. His lawyer stated that Hegseth believed he was being blackmailed and opted for a settlement due to concerns over facing repercussions amid the MeToo movement. The allegations negatively affected both his career and marriage. Regardless, Rauchet has shown her support, often accompanying Hegseth during significant meetings, as he sought a Secretary of Defense nomination. She even featured in an Instagram post where he referred to her as “my rock.” Nevertheless, amidst the ongoing discussions surrounding the allegations, there are curious aspects of their marriage to consider.
How Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet First Met
The initial connection between Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet was far from conventional. They were already committed to other partners when they met at Fox News, where Hegseth was a prominent figure, and Rauchet worked as his producer. Sources suggested that Rauchet exhibited more than a professional interest in Hegseth, keeping a close watch on him. Hegseth, meanwhile, was known for his flirtatious reputation. Following their relationship confirmation, Rauchet was reassigned to a different program at the network.
The affair reportedly escalated at a Christmas party in 2016, which Rauchet’s then-spouse attended, leading to tensions as Hegseth was uncomfortable with his presence.
Rumors Surrounding Their History and Professionalism
There are speculations that Jennifer Rauchet might have influenced Tucker Carlson’s unexpected departure from Fox News after their marriage. Online personality Stew Peters suggested in a tweet that her actions may have been a factor, citing “credible sources” that claimed she had sent a message to Carlson, which ultimately led to his exit. Despite these claims, Hegseth firmly denied any connection between his wife and Carlson’s departure, labeling the rumors as false and affirming their friendship with Carlson.
Pete Hegseth’s Marital History
Is third marriage a charm? Pete Hegseth’s relationship with Jennifer Rauchet marks his third marriage. His first was to high school sweetheart Meredith Schwarz in 2004, which ended in 2008 due to Hegseth’s infidelity, according to Vanity Fair. Much of their marriage was troubled, leading Schwarz to file for divorce over the extramarital affairs.
Following this, Hegseth swiftly moved on and married Samatha Deering in 2010, reportedly after having an affair with her during his first marriage. They had three children together, but their relationship ended when Deering filed for divorce in 2017, coinciding with Hegseth’s child with Rauchet. Hegseth’s actions garnered criticism even from his mother, Penelope Hegseth, who described him in an email, obtained by the New York Times, as “an abuser of women.” Despite the fallout, Penelope later expressed regret for the email in a conversation on “Fox & Friends,” claiming it was written in haste.
