Pete Hegseth is an American government official and former television personality who has served as the 29th United States secretary of defense since 2025. He was the publisher of The Princeton Tory, a conservative student newspaper. In 2003, he was commissioned as an infantry officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard, serving at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He worked for several organizations after leaving Iraq, including as an executive director at Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America. Hegseth served as an advisor to President Donald Trump after supporting his campaign in 2016.
From 2017 to 2024, Hegseth co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend. He has written several books, including American Crusade and The War on Warriors. In November 2024, President-elect Trump named Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of defense. In a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing days before Trump’s second inauguration, Hegseth faced allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and excessive drinking. Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate that month, with Vice President JD Vance casting a tie-breaking vote. Hegseth is the second-youngest secretary of defense (after Donald Rumsfeld during the Gerald Ford administration).
Personal Life
Birthday / Date of Birth
He was born on the 6th of June 1980, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.
| Birth Name | Peter Brian Hegseth |
| Nickname | Pete |
| Date of Birth | 6th of June 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States |
| Age | 45 years old |
| Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Profession | Government Official, Former Television Personality, Author, Political Commentator |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
Political Affiliation
Republican
Military Service
United States Army National Guard
Education
Hegseth attended Forest Lake Area High School. In 1999, He graduated as valedictorian. After high school, Hegseth enrolled at Princeton University, where he majored in politics for his Artium Baccalaureus degree from the Ivy League school.
Family Details
- Father – Brian Hegseth (Basketball Coach)
- Mother – Penelope Hegseth (Executive Business Coach)
- Siblings – He has two younger brothers.
Marital Status
Married
Girlfriend / Spouse
Pete Hegseth has dated –
Physical Statistics
| Height |
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| Weight |
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| Body Measurements |
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| Body Build | Athletic |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Shoe Size | 11 (US) |
| Dress Size | N/A |
| Sexuality | Straight |
Professional Statistics
Famous For
Pete is best known for his role as a conservative political commentator and co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend on Fox News. He gained national attention for his outspoken views on U.S. politics, national security, and veterans’ affairs. Hegseth is also recognized for his military service as a U.S. Army National Guard officer with deployments overseas. He became prominent for transitioning from television media into U.S. government service. Additionally, he is known as a political author and public speaker advocating patriotism and conservative values.
Military Career
Hegseth served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army National Guard. He was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan, earning several military decorations including:
- Bronze Star Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- Combat Infantryman Badge
Government Service
Hegseth later transitioned into American government service, where he became involved in defense and veterans-related leadership and policy roles, leveraging his military and media experience.
Television Career
In 2014, Pete joined Fox News and became one of the network’s most recognizable conservative voices. He frequently discussed national defense, veterans’ affairs, and U.S. foreign policy before leaving the network to enter government service.
Writing Career
Hegseth is the author of several books focusing on patriotism, American values, and military culture, including best-selling political nonfiction works.
Pete Hegseth Net worth
Pete Hegseth has an estimated net worth of $4 million dollars as of 2026.
Social Media Profiles
- Facebook – Pete Hegseth
- Instagram – petehegseth
- X – Pete Hegseth
Some Lesser Known Facts About Pete Hegseth
- Peter was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is of Norwegian descent. Hegseth was raised in Forest Lake, Minnesota.
- During his school years, Pete developed a passion for politics and public service, interests that guided his academic and early career choices.
- He chose Princeton over an offer from the United States Military Academy to play for the school’s basketball team. Months before the September 11 attacks, Hegseth joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
- During his years at Princeton, Hegseth was the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Princeton Tory, the school’s conservative student newspaper.
- 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.
- Pete worked for several organizations after leaving Iraq, including as an executive director at Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America.
- In 2014, he became a contributor to Fox News. Hegseth served as an advisor to President Donald Trump after supporting his campaign in 2016.
- From 2017 to 2024, Hegseth co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend. He has written several books, including American Crusade (2020) and The War on Warriors (2024).
- In November 2024, President-elect Trump named Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of defense. In a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing days before Trump’s second inauguration, Hegseth faced allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and excessive drinking.
- Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate that month, with Vice President JD Vance casting a tie-breaking vote. It was only the second time in US history that a Cabinet nominee’s confirmation was decided by a vice president (following Betsy DeVos during the first Trump administration in 2017).
- Peter is the second-youngest secretary of defense (after Donald Rumsfeld during the Gerald Ford administration).
- In 2025, Pete being appointed U.S. Secretary of Defense, where he initiated controversial reforms focused on military culture and policy.
- Hegseth has drawn criticism during his tenure as Secretary of Defense due to the fallout from a leaked government group chat on Signal as well as alleged war crimes related to U.S. military strikes on alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pete Hegseth?
He is a prominent American political and media figure, military veteran, and government official. Known for his outspoken conservative views and his service in the U.S. Army National Guard, his life story spans television, politics, and the highest levels of defense leadership in the United States.
What is the real name of Pete Hegseth?
His real name is Peter Brian Hegseth.
What is the age of Pete Hegseth?
He is 45 years old (6th of June 1980).
What is Pete Hegseth Height?
The Height of Pete is 1.83 m (6′0”).
What is Pete Hegseth Weight?
The Weight of Wallace is 82 kg (181 lbs).
What is the Net worth of Pete Hegseth?
He has an estimated net worth of $4 million dollars as of 2026.
Why is Pete Hegseth Famous?
He is best known for being a Fox News contributor and co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend”, his strong conservative political commentary, military background, and later transition into U.S. government service.