The Shocking Truth About Sean Hannity's Wife: Divorce, Secret Relationship, And A Surprise Engagement In 2025

Sean Hannity’s personal life has always been a subject of intense public curiosity, especially concerning the status of his "wife," a question that has a complex and up-to-the-minute answer as of December 2025. The long-standing marriage between the conservative political commentator and his former wife, journalist Jill Rhodes, concluded quietly several years ago, a fact that surprised many fans when it was finally announced. This major life change set the stage for one of the most talked-about relationships in media today, culminating in a very recent and public announcement that has dominated headlines. The most current and significant update is that the renowned Fox News host is no longer married to Jill Rhodes but is now engaged to his long-time Fox News colleague, Ainsley Earhardt. This relationship, which was kept private for years, has recently become official, solidifying a new chapter in Hannity’s life that is both a fresh start and a high-profile coupling within the television news landscape. The full story involves a quiet separation, a public divorce announcement, and a surprising Christmas proposal that took place just recently.

Jill Rhodes: Biography and The End of a 26-Year Marriage

Jill Rhodes is the woman who was known as Sean Hannity’s wife for over two decades. Their relationship began in the late 1980s, long before Hannity became the media giant he is today, and her own professional background is rooted in journalism.

Jill Rhodes: A Biographical Snapshot

• Full Name: Jill Rhodes
• Occupation: American Journalist, Former Political Columnist
• Known For: Former wife of Sean Hannity
• Place of Birth: Alabama, USA
• First Meeting with Hannity: Late 1980s, at a radio station in Huntsville, Alabama.
• Marriage Date: 1993
• Divorce Date: Finalized in 2019 (Publicly announced in 2020)
• Children: Two (Patrick Hannity Jr. and Merri Kelly Hannity)

The Roots of Their Relationship

Jill Rhodes first met Sean Hannity in 1989 when he was working as a talk show host at WVNN radio station in Huntsville, Alabama. She was a political columnist for the *Huntsville Times* at the time. Rhodes was reportedly drawn to Hannity’s on-air personality, leaving him a note that described him as "cute." This initial spark led to a four-year courtship, and the couple married in 1993. Rhodes was often credited as a stabilizing force in Hannity’s life and a key support system during his career ascent. She helped him navigate the early, volatile stages of his career, which included his move to New York and the eventual launch of his nationally syndicated radio show, *The Sean Hannity Show*, and his television career on the Fox News Channel.

The Quiet Divorce and Public Announcement

In a move that caught many fans off guard, Hannity and Rhodes announced in June 2020 that they had divorced. The official statement revealed that the separation had actually occurred years earlier, and the divorce was finalized in 2019. The couple released a joint statement confirming the amicable nature of the split, emphasizing that they would remain committed to co-parenting their two children. This private handling of a major life event was consistent with their general approach to keeping their personal life out of the media spotlight, despite Hannity’s extremely public career.

The New Chapter: Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt’s Engagement

The question of who Sean Hannity’s "wife" is evolved significantly following his divorce, leading to years of speculation about his relationship with fellow Fox News host, Ainsley Earhardt. This speculation was finally put to rest with a major announcement in late 2024/early 2025.

A Long-Rumored Romance Confirmed

Rumors about a relationship between Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt, co-host of *Fox & Friends*, began to circulate widely around 2020. Both hosts initially kept their personal lives extremely private, neither confirming nor denying the reports. Sources close to the couple later confirmed they had been quietly dating since 2019, shortly after Hannity’s divorce was finalized and Earhardt’s own second marriage ended. The relationship represented a pairing of two of the network’s most prominent conservative voices. Hannity, known for his primetime show *Hannity*, and Earhardt, a fixture of morning television, maintained a professional front while their personal connection deepened off-camera.

The Surprise Christmas Proposal

In a major personal update, Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt officially announced their engagement. The proposal reportedly took place over Christmas 2024 at their home church, a detail that highlights the importance of their shared faith. This announcement, made public in early 2025, confirmed their long-term commitment and ended years of conjecture from media observers and fans. While they have been living a long-distance relationship—with Hannity primarily residing in Florida and Earhardt in New York—their engagement signals a clear plan for a future together. The couple's age difference, with Hannity being 63 and Earhardt 48, has also been a point of discussion, but their professional and personal bond remains strong.

The Hannity Children: Patrick and Merri Kelly

A key element of Sean Hannity’s personal life, both during and after his marriage to Jill Rhodes, is his role as a father. The former couple shares two adult children, who have largely stayed out of the media spotlight, focusing on their own pursuits.

Patrick Hannity Jr.

Their son, Patrick Hannity Jr., has pursued a career in athletics. He gained recognition as a competitive tennis player. Patrick played collegiate tennis for Wake Forest University, an accomplishment that his father has occasionally mentioned with pride.

Merri Kelly Hannity

Their daughter, Merri Kelly Hannity, is also a private individual. Like her brother, she has kept a low profile away from the political and media scrutiny that follows her father. Sean and Jill have maintained a unified front in co-parenting, a commitment they reiterated in their divorce statement, ensuring their children remained their priority despite the separation. The transition from a 26-year marriage to a high-profile engagement has been a significant journey for Sean Hannity. While Jill Rhodes remains the answer to the historical question of "Sean Hannity’s wife," the current and future answer is clearly Ainsley Earhardt, with whom he is now planning a wedding, marking a decisive and public shift in his personal life in 2025.

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