For years, Americans have known Pete Hegseth as the former Army National Guard officer, the patriotic firebrand on Fox & Friends Weekend, and the man unafraid to take on the toughest political debates. But at home, far from the cameras and controversies, there’s a different side to Hegseth—one that trades tactical gear for tea parties, and debates for bedtime stories.

That side simply goes by one name: Dad.

And lately, he’s not just a dad—he’s a girl dad. A deeply proud one.

From Combat Boots to Crib Duty

It’s early morning at the Hegseth home in Tennessee, and Pete—mug of black coffee in one hand, tiny pink sock in the other—is in full dad mode. “This is the battlefield I never trained for,” he laughs, as his youngest daughter shrieks with joy from the high chair, applesauce in her hair and a bow sliding off her head.

Pete, now 44, is a father of seven—four of whom are daughters. And while the military taught him how to lead soldiers, he says it’s his girls who have taught him how to lead with tenderness.

“I used to think courage was all about battle,” he says. “Now I know—it’s also about raising strong, kind daughters in a noisy world.”

Anchoring in What Matters

Known for his strong views on faith, family, and freedom, Hegseth says becoming a father—especially to daughters—has redefined his sense of mission.

“These girls aren’t just my kids,” he says. “They’re my legacy. They’re who I pray over, fight for, and learn from every single day.”

He often shares glimpses of their life on social media—not in polished photo-ops, but in raw, joyful moments: brushing Barbie hair, helping with homework, sitting at Sunday service with a baby in one arm and a toddler asleep on the other.

“People see me on Fox,” he adds, “but they don’t see the part where I’m trying to braid hair while quoting Ronald Reagan. Spoiler alert: neither goes smoothly.”

Faith, Family, and Fortitude

Pete and his wife Jennifer Roth Hegseth—his partner in both parenting and purpose—emphasize traditional values at home, grounding their daughters in faith and love of country. But Pete is quick to say that raising daughters today also means equipping them to be brave and discerning.

“I want my girls to be fierce,” he says. “Not in the way the world tells them—but fierce in faith, fierce in thinking, and fierce in how they love others.”

He admits, with a grin, that they already challenge him. “They’ll fact-check my speeches, out-argue me at dinner, and call me out if I forget a promise. It’s humbling—but it’s the best kind of accountability.”

Beyond the Camera

Though Hegseth continues to appear on Fox News and publish best-selling books, he says his greatest title isn’t “host” or “veteran.” It’s “Dad.”

“This job ends when the camera cuts,” he says. “But being a father—that’s the lifelong mission.”

As for what’s next? He teases a possible Fatherhood in America special, featuring real conversations with dads across the country—blending patriotism with parenting. “If it helps just one dad hold his daughter a little longer, or tell her she’s brave and brilliant, then it’s worth it.”

Until then, he’s focused on the everyday battles: ballet recitals, school drop-offs, and protecting his daughters from the chaos of the world without shielding them from the truth.

“Being a girl dad has softened me,” Pete admits. “And made me stronger. That’s the paradox of fatherhood. You don’t lose your edge—you learn when to use it.”

In the end, Pete Hegseth doesn’t need to win every argument on air. He just needs to win the hearts of four little girls who already think he’s their biggest hero—and their best hair-braider in training.