The Untold Story Of Sean Hannity's First Wife, Jill Rhodes: A Life Beyond The Spotlight

Sean Hannity, one of the most powerful and recognizable voices in conservative media, has spent decades in the public eye, yet details of his personal life, especially his first marriage, have remained remarkably private. As of December 2025, the focus on his personal life has intensified with recent reports of his engagement, leading many to revisit the woman who stood by him for over a quarter of a century: his first and former wife, Jill Rhodes.

The story of Sean Hannity and Jill Rhodes is not one of a quick Hollywood split, but rather a long, 26-year partnership that began long before Hannity became a cable news titan. Their relationship, which quietly ended with a divorce in 2019, provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of the journalist and political columnist who chose a path far removed from the conservative pundit's intense media spotlight.

Jill Rhodes: Complete Biography and Profile Facts

Jill Rhodes is an accomplished American journalist and political columnist who maintained a successful career while raising a family with one of the world's most high-profile media figures. She has since maintained an extremely private life following her divorce from the Fox News host.

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• Full Name: Jill Rhodes
• Occupation: Journalist, Political Columnist, Media Professional
• Date of Birth: August 27, 1962
• Place of Birth: Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Alabama
• First Meeting with Sean Hannity: 1991, in Huntsville, Alabama. Hannity was working at WVNN radio, and Rhodes was a political columnist at the Huntsville Times.
• Marriage Date: 1993
• Divorce Date: 2019 (Publicly announced in 2020, following a long separation)
• Duration of Marriage: 26 years
• Children: Two—Patrick Hannity and Merri Hannity
• Post-Divorce Life: Has maintained a highly private and low-profile life away from the media.

A Partnership Born in Radio: How Hannity Met Rhodes

The origin story of Sean Hannity and Jill Rhodes is a far cry from the glitz of New York City cable news studios. Their paths first crossed in the early 1990s in Huntsville, Alabama, where Hannity was a rising local radio personality.

The WVNN Connection

In 1991, Sean Hannity was hosting a talk show on WVNN radio. Jill Rhodes, a graduate of the University of Alabama, was working as a political columnist for the local newspaper, the Huntsville Times. It was a professional connection that sparked their romance. Hannity, reportedly captivated by Rhodes' writing, began calling her for professional advice and eventually asked her out.

The couple married two years later in 1993, just as Hannity’s career was beginning its ascent from local radio to a national platform. Rhodes’ background as a journalist provided a grounding force and an understanding of the media world that would define her husband’s career for the next three decades. Their marriage coincided with Hannity's move to Atlanta, then to New York, and the launch of his nationally syndicated radio show and his television career at Fox News.

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The Quiet End of a 26-Year Marriage

Despite the intense public scrutiny that follows a figure like Sean Hannity, the end of his marriage to Jill Rhodes was handled with a remarkable degree of privacy and mutual respect. The couple was married for 26 years, a significant milestone in the unpredictable world of celebrity and media.

Separation and the 2020 Announcement

While the official public announcement of their divorce came in 2020, sources close to the family indicated that the couple had been separated for several years prior to the finalization of the split. The joint statement released by Hannity and Rhodes emphasized that they had "amicably divorced" and would "remain committed to working together in the best interests of their children."

The separation was a testament to the couple's desire to protect their privacy and their two children, Patrick and Merri. The long duration of their marriage and the quiet nature of their split stand in contrast to the often-dramatic public breakups of other media personalities. The emphasis on co-parenting and maintaining a civil relationship suggests a mature and respectful ending to their long-term partnership.

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Jill Rhodes' Life After the Divorce: A Return to Privacy

Following the divorce, Jill Rhodes has largely stepped away from the public eye, embracing a life of privacy. This decision aligns with her professional background, where she was known as a serious journalist and political columnist, rather than a celebrity spouse.

Focus on Career and Family

Rhodes’ professional experience, including her early work as a journalist and her subsequent media roles, speaks to her own substantive career. While she has chosen not to leverage her former marriage for public attention, her history confirms her own intellect and expertise in the political and media spheres.

For many years, the couple resided in the wealthy community of Centre Island, New York. Since the divorce, Rhodes has focused on her personal life and her role as a mother to their two adult children. Her decision to maintain a low profile is a clear indication of her preference for a life away from the constant spotlight of cable news, a stark contrast to the world her ex-husband continues to inhabit.

The Next Chapter: Hannity's Engagement to Ainsley Earhardt

The term "first wife" has become particularly relevant in light of Sean Hannity's latest personal life development. In late 2024 and early 2025, reports confirmed that Hannity is now engaged to his Fox News colleague, Ainsley Earhardt, making Jill Rhodes definitively his first wife.

This engagement marks the beginning of Hannity's second marriage and further solidifies the end of his chapter with Jill Rhodes. Earhardt, a co-host of Fox & Friends, and Hannity had been romantically linked for several years before the engagement news. This development brings Hannity's personal life back into the news cycle, but the narrative of his long first marriage with Jill Rhodes remains a significant part of his biography.

The life of Jill Rhodes, Sean Hannity's first wife, is a powerful example of a public figure's spouse who prioritized a private life over celebrity. From a political columnist in Alabama to the wife of a conservative media powerhouse, her story is defined by a 26-year commitment and a quiet, dignified exit from the intense media scrutiny, allowing her to focus on family and her own professional pursuits away from the constant glare of the Fox News cameras.