Rex Brian Hegseth is the third son of Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense, and his ex-wife, Samantha Deering. Born October 1, 2015, Rex is now 10 years old. He lives with his father’s blended family in Tennessee.
Rex Brian Hegseth became a subject of public curiosity when his father, Pete Hegseth, was nominated and confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Defense in 2024. As with many children of high-profile political figures, Rex’s name appeared in news articles and social media discussions. But who is he really, and what do we actually know about him?
This article separates fact from fiction about Rex Brian Hegseth, providing verified information while respecting appropriate privacy boundaries for a minor.
Who is Rex Brian Hegseth?
Rex Brian Hegseth is the 10-year-old son of Pete Hegseth, who currently serves as the 29th U.S. Secretary of Defense. Rex was born on October 1, 2015, to Pete and his second wife, Samantha Deering.
Rex is Pete’s third biological child. He has two older brothers from the same marriage: Gunner (born 2010) and Boone (born 2012). The three boys grew up together before their parents divorced in 2017.
Public interest in Rex increased sharply in late 2024 when President Donald Trump nominated Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon. The Senate confirmed Pete in January 2025, placing the Hegseth family under intense media scrutiny.
Rex’s public footprint remains limited. Most references to him come from family announcements and photographs Pete shared on social media during Rex’s early years. Unlike his father, Rex has no public career, social media presence, or independent public profile.
Rex Hegseth’s Birth and Early Years
Pete Hegseth announced Rex’s arrival on Instagram on October 1, 2015. The post included a photo of newborn Rex being held by his older brothers, Gunner and Boone.
The caption read: “Blessed to welcome Rex Brian Hegseth to our family today. He’s a healthy & sturdy 9 lbs 13 oz. Big brothers Gunner & Boone are fascinated, and Samantha is doing great. Grateful for all the love and prayers.”
The post gave followers a glimpse into Pete’s family life at a time when he was building his profile as a Fox News contributor. The name “Rex” means “king” in Latin, fitting with Pete’s tradition of giving his sons strong, traditional names. The middle name “Brian” matches Pete’s own middle name.
During Rex’s early childhood, Pete was transitioning from advocacy work with Concerned Veterans for America to becoming a regular Fox News presence. By January 2017, Pete became an official co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, significantly raising his public profile.
Rex was just two years old when his parents’ marriage ended. The divorce was finalized in 2017, the same year Pete’s daughter Gwendolyn was born to his now-current wife, Jennifer Rauchet.
Rex’s Parents and Family Background
Rex’s mother is Samantha Deering Hegseth. Pete and Samantha married in 2010 and had three sons together before divorcing in 2017. Samantha has maintained a low public profile since the divorce. As of 2025, she has not remarried.
Pete Hegseth, Rex’s father, has had a varied career. He graduated from Princeton University in 2003 and served in the U.S. Army National Guard, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. After leaving active military service, Pete worked in veteran advocacy before joining Fox News as a contributor in 2014.
Pete became a household name as co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend from 2017 to 2024. He left Fox News after President Trump nominated him to serve as Secretary of Defense. The Senate confirmed Pete in January 2025 by a narrow 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
Pete has been married three times. His first marriage to Meredith Schwarz (2004-2009) produced no children. His second marriage to Samantha (2010-2017) produced Rex and his two brothers. Pete married Jennifer Rauchet in 2019. They have one daughter together, Gwendolyn, and Jennifer brought three children from a previous relationship into the blended family.
The circumstances of Pete’s divorce from Samantha drew media attention. Reports indicated that Pete’s relationship with Jennifer began while he was still married to Samantha, and Jennifer became pregnant before the divorce was finalized.
Rex’s Siblings in the Hegseth Family
Rex has two full biological brothers from his parents’ marriage:
Gunner Hegseth was born on June 13, 2010. Now 15 years old, Gunner is Pete’s oldest son. The name reflects Pete’s military background and values.
Boone Hegseth was born on August 7, 2012. Now 13 years old, Boone was named after Daniel Boone, the American frontiersman. Pete has stated that this choice reflects his appreciation for American history.
Rex also has a half-sister from his father’s current marriage:
Gwendolyn (Gwen) Hegseth was born in August 2017. She is Pete and Jennifer’s daughter together. Gwendolyn was born while Pete was still married to Samantha, which complicated the divorce proceedings.
Additionally, Rex has three step-siblings from Jennifer Rauchet’s previous marriage: Jackson, Luke, and Kenzie. Their specific ages and details remain private, as the family has kept information about Jennifer’s children from her first marriage out of the public eye.
The entire blended family of seven children lives together in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Pete and Jennifer chose this location specifically to enroll their children in Jonathan Edwards Classical Academy, a Christian school that aligns with their values.
In his 2024 book “The War on Warriors,” Pete wrote about his hopes that his sons would consider military service when they’re older, though he emphasized this would be their choice.
Why Rex Brian Hegseth is Trending Now
Rex’s name appeared frequently in searches and news articles throughout late 2024 and early 2025. This spike in interest directly correlates with his father’s nomination and confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Defense.
When President Trump announced Pete’s nomination in November 2024, media outlets began publishing background pieces about Pete’s personal life. These articles often included information about his family, marriages, and children. Rex was mentioned as part of Pete’s broader family story.
The nomination process drew intense scrutiny. Media reports surfaced about Pete’s past conduct, including allegations of excessive drinking, a 2017 sexual assault accusation (which Pete denied and was never charged for), and contentious divorce proceedings. Some reports mentioned that Samantha’s family members had concerns about Pete’s behavior during the marriage.
During Senate confirmation hearings in January 2025, senators questioned Pete about his personal conduct. While the focus remained on Pete himself, the existence of his children and his role as a father became part of the public conversation.
This increased attention is common when a parent enters high-level public service. The children of cabinet secretaries, senators, and other officials often find their names mentioned in news coverage, even when they have no public role themselves.
For a 10-year-old like Rex, this represents a significant change from relative privacy to having his name appear in major news outlets and search results.
What We Don’t Know About Rex Hegseth
Despite the public interest, very little verified information about Rex’s current life exists in the public record. This is appropriate for a minor child.
We don’t know where Rex attends school, though the family moved to Tennessee partly for educational reasons. We don’t know his specific interests, hobbies, or academic achievements. We don’t know the details of his relationship with his father or how often he sees him.
We don’t know the custody arrangement between Pete and Samantha following their divorce. We don’t know whether Rex has expressed any interest in following his father’s path into military service or the media.
These details remain private because Rex is a child who has not chosen public life. The public information comes from Pete’s social media posts from years ago and contextual mentions in articles about Pete.
This lack of detailed information is not a gap that needs filling. It’s a boundary that should be respected. Children of public figures deserve privacy to grow up without constant public scrutiny.
Common Misconceptions About Rex Hegseth
Several websites have published incorrect or misleading information about Rex Brian Hegseth. Here are the facts:
Rex is not Pete. Some articles confuse Rex Brian Hegseth (the child, born 2015) with Peter Brian Hegseth (the father, born 1980). Any article claiming “Rex Brian Hegseth” is an adult politician, television host, military officer, or Secretary of Defense is wrong. That describes Pete, not Rex.
Rex is not an adult professional. Several low-quality sites have published completely fabricated biographies claiming Rex is an entrepreneur, business leader, or political figure. These articles are false. Rex is 10 years old.
Rex does not have a public career. Unlike his father, Rex has never worked in media, politics, or any other field. He’s a child.
The limited public information is intentional. The absence of details about Rex’s education, interests, or daily life isn’t a mystery to solve. It reflects appropriate privacy protection for a minor.
Any article providing extensive details about Rex’s “achievements,” “career,” or “influence” is fabricated. The only verified public information about Rex comes from his birth announcement and contextual mentions in articles about Pete.
When searching for information about Rex Brian Hegseth, be skeptical of sources that provide detailed biographical information beyond basic family facts. If an article sounds like it’s describing an adult professional, it’s likely confusing Rex with his father, Pete.
Rex Brian Hegseth is a 10-year-old boy who became a subject of public interest because his father holds a high-profile government position. The verified facts about him are limited: his birth date, his parents’ names, his siblings, and his place in Pete Hegseth’s blended family.
Beyond these basics, Rex deserves the same privacy any child should have. As his father navigates the complexities of leading the Department of Defense, Rex and his siblings continue their childhood away from the spotlight their father occupies.
Public interest in the families of political figures is natural. But that interest should be balanced with respect for privacy, particularly when it comes to children who haven’t chosen public life themselves.
