Few people move from a National Guard major’s uniform to the Secretary of War’s desk in less than four years, but Pete Hegseth did exactly that—the former Fox News host and combat veteran now leads the U.S. Department of War, yet his military record, personal life, and financial standing remain subjects of intense public curiosity. This article lays out the verified facts behind the headlines, grounded in official records and reporting.
Full name: Peter Brian Hegseth ·
Born: June 6, 1980 ·
Current office: Secretary of War (since Jan 25, 2025) ·
Spouse: Jenny Hegseth ·
Military service: U.S. Army veteran
Quick snapshot
- Full name Peter Brian Hegseth (U.S. Department of War biography)
- Born June 6, 1980 (U.S. Department of War biography)
- Sworn in as Secretary of War on Jan 25, 2025 (U.S. Department of War biography)
- Married to Jenny Hegseth (U.S. Department of War biography)
- Exact net worth amount (estimates vary from $3 million to $6 million)
- Exact number of marriages (reported but not officially confirmed from primary sources)
- Detailed combat record (presence in Iraq vs. engagement)
- Exact number of children (reported but not in official bio)
- Exact reason for leaving the military (no official source states a single reason)
- Exact details of his first marriage (first wife’s name not widely published)
- Exact location of his birth (not officially confirmed in public records)
- Exact number of siblings (few details publicly available)
- 1980: Born (U.S. Department of War biography)
- 2003: Graduates Princeton, commissioned as infantry officer (U.S. Department of War biography)
- 2021: Retires from Army National Guard as major (Al Jazeera fact-check)
- 2025: Confirmed Secretary of War in 51-50 Senate vote (CNN Fast Facts)
- Overseeing Pentagon policy and military operations
- Potential conflicts over his past conduct and fitness for office
- Continued scrutiny of personal finances and disclosures
Five key facts, one pattern: Hegseth’s career moves from military service to media to political power, each step drawing more public attention.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Peter Brian Hegseth |
| Born | June 6, 1980 |
| Current office | Secretary of War (since Jan 25, 2025) |
| Spouse | Jenny Hegseth |
| Military branch | U.S. Army |
| Highest rank | Major (retired 2021) |
What did Pete Hegseth actually do in the military?
Army assignments and deployments
Hegseth joined the U.S. Army Reserves in May 2001, according to an Al Jazeera fact-check. He later transferred to the National Guard and served in New Jersey, New York, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia. The U.S. Department of War biography lists active-duty deployments to Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
- Guantanamo Bay – deployment as infantry officer
- Iraq – deployment during the Iraq War
- Afghanistan – deployment during the War in Afghanistan
Hegseth’s deployments span three theaters of the post‑9/11 era, giving him a broader operational footprint than many National Guard officers of his generation.
Rank and awards
He retired in March 2021 with the rank of major, per Al Jazeera and CNN. The official biography states he earned two Bronze Star Medals, the Joint Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Expert Infantryman Badge.
“Hegseth earned two Bronze Star Medals, the Joint Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Expert Infantryman Badge.”
— U.S. Department of War biography (official record)
Combat experience
Hegseth served in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the exact nature of his combat engagements remains unclear. The Department of War biography does not specify whether he was in direct firefights. The Associated Press reported in January 2025 that Hegseth acknowledged multiple extramarital affairs that occurred while he was in the military, according to divorce records. That disclosure has fueled questions about his judgment during his service years.
The lack of a detailed combat narrative allows critics to question the depth of his battlefield experience, while supporters point to his Bronze Stars as proof of valor.
Why did Pete Hegseth get out of the military?
Transition to civilian career
Hegseth retired from the National Guard in March 2021 after 19 years of service. The CNN Fast Facts note that he served from 2002 to 2021. He then moved full‑time into media, joining Fox News as a contributor and later hosting “Fox & Friends Weekend.” The transition from uniform to television was a deliberate career shift, according to interviews he gave at the time. No official source states a single reason for leaving, but it coincided with the end of two decades of service and the start of a higher‑profile public role.
The pattern is clear: he chose a media platform over a further military career, which later positioned him for a political appointment.
How many marriages has Pete Hegseth had?
Divorce and remarriages
Hegseth has been married at least twice. His first marriage ended in divorce; the Associated Press reported that divorce records from that period mention extramarital affairs. He is currently married to Jenny Hegseth (née Rau), who appears in his official biography. The exact number of marriages is not explicitly listed in primary sources, but public records indicate two. The first wife’s name is not widely published, and Hegseth has not publicly discussed the reasons for the divorce.
“Hegseth acknowledged multiple extramarital affairs that occurred while he was in the military, according to divorce records.”
— Associated Press report, January 2025
Hegseth’s marital history, now public through divorce records, becomes a recurring vulnerability in confirmation hearings and media coverage, especially for a role that demands high moral standards in uniform.
The pattern: Hegseth’s marital history has become a recurring vulnerability in his public life.
How is Pete Hegseth related to Trump?
Political alliance and appointments
Hegseth and Donald Trump are not related by blood or marriage. Their connection is political. Hegseth worked as a Fox News host, where he frequently defended Trump on air. In November 2024, Trump selected Hegseth to serve as Secretary of Defense, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth and confirmed by CNN. The Senate confirmed him on January 24, 2025, in a 51‑50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the deciding vote. Hegseth was sworn in the next day.
- November 2024 – Trump nominates Hegseth
- January 24, 2025 – Senate confirms (51‑50)
- January 25, 2025 – Sworn in as Secretary of War
The pattern: Hegseth’s ascent is tightly linked to Trump’s endorsement, and his appointment was one of the most controversial cabinet picks, passing by the narrowest possible margin.
What is Pete Hegseth’s net worth?
Wealth sources and upbringing
Estimates of Hegseth’s net worth vary. Forbes estimated his combined net worth with his wife Jenny at about $3 million in February 2025, including cash, investments, and about $700,000 in home equity. Meanwhile, Celebrity Net Worth placed the figure at $6 million. The discrepancy arises from different valuation methods and the inclusion of anticipated income from book deals and speaking fees. Hegseth’s upbringing was not wealthy; he grew up in a middle‑class family in Minnesota.
The implication: Hegseth’s financial standing is modest relative to his position.
How many natural children does Pete Hegseth have?
Children and family life
Pete Hegseth has children from his current marriage to Jenny. The exact number of natural children is not listed in the official biography, but public records and media reports indicate he has at least one son and one daughter. Jenny Hegseth is a businesswoman and has been a public face alongside him at events. The family resides in the Washington, D.C. area. Hegseth has not publicly discussed the exact number of children, and the Department of War biography does not mention children.
The pattern: The lack of official information on Hegseth’s children leaves room for speculation.
Timeline
- – Peter Brian Hegseth born (U.S. Department of War biography)
- – Graduates from Princeton University; commissioned as infantry officer in Army National Guard (U.S. Department of War biography)
- – Deploys to Guantanamo Bay (U.S. Department of War biography)
- – Deploys to Iraq (U.S. Department of War biography)
- – Deploys to Afghanistan (U.S. Department of War biography)
- – Retires from Army National Guard with rank of major (CNN Fast Facts)
- – Donald Trump nominates Hegseth for Secretary of Defense (CNN Fast Facts)
- – Senate confirms Hegseth in 51‑50 vote, VP Vance breaks tie (CNN Fast Facts)
- – Sworn in as Secretary of War (CNN Fast Facts)
What’s confirmed, what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Peter Brian Hegseth is his full name (U.S. Department of War biography)
- Born June 6, 1980 (U.S. Department of War biography)
- Serves as Secretary of War since Jan 25, 2025 (U.S. Department of War biography)
- Married to Jenny Hegseth (U.S. Department of War biography)
- U.S. Army veteran, retired as major (CNN Fast Facts)
- Graduated from Princeton University in 2003 (U.S. Department of War biography)
- Deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, Afghanistan (U.S. Department of War biography)
- Earned two Bronze Star Medals and Combat Infantryman Badge (U.S. Department of War biography)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth amount (estimates vary from $3M to $6M)
- Exact number of marriages (at least two, but not officially confirmed from primary sources)
- Detailed combat record (presence in Iraq vs. engagement in active firefights)
- Exact number of children (reported but not in official bio)
- Exact reason for leaving the military (no official source states a single reason)
- Exact details of his first marriage (first wife’s name not widely published)
- Exact location of his birth (not officially confirmed in public records)
- Exact number of siblings (few details publicly available)
In his own words and others’
“Hegseth earned two Bronze Star Medals, the Joint Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Expert Infantryman Badge.”
— U.S. Department of War biography (official record)
“Hegseth acknowledged multiple extramarital affairs that occurred while he was in the military, according to divorce records.”
— Associated Press report, January 2025
For Pete Hegseth, the transition from National Guard major to Secretary of War brings both power and scrutiny. His military record is solid but not without controversies, his personal life is under a microscope, and his net worth, while modest for a cabinet member, is only part of the story. The choice for the American public and the military personnel he now leads is clear: either accept his past as irrelevant to his current duties, or demand a level of transparency that goes beyond the official biography. There is no middle ground.
en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, war.gov, en.wikipedia.org, simple.wikipedia.org, usar.army.mil
Frequently asked questions
What is Pete Hegseth’s educational background?
He graduated from Princeton University in 2003 with a degree in political science.
Has Pete Hegseth written any books?
Yes, he is the author of “American Crusade” and “Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes.”
What political party does Pete Hegseth belong to?
He is a member of the Republican Party.
Where did Pete Hegseth serve overseas?
He served in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
What is Pete Hegseth’s height?
Public records list him at approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm).
What awards has Pete Hegseth received?
Two Bronze Star Medals, Joint Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Expert Infantryman Badge.
Does Pete Hegseth have any siblings?
He has a younger brother, but few details are publicly available.
Related reading
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.