Ainsley Earhardt’s First Husband: 5 Little-Known Facts About Kevin McKinney And Their Short-Lived Marriage

Ainsley Earhardt, the prominent co-host of Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends, has built a highly successful career in conservative television, but her personal life, particularly her early relationships, has often been kept out of the spotlight. As of December 2025, while public attention focuses on her high-profile romance with fellow host Sean Hannity, many fans are curious about the man who was her first husband, a relationship that predates her rise to national fame.

This deep dive explores the details of Ainsley Earhardt’s first marriage to Kevin McKinney, a private union that lasted just four years, setting the stage for the highly scrutinized relationships that followed. McKinney remains a low-profile figure, making the facts about their time together a rare glimpse into the early life of the popular news anchor.

Ainsley Earhardt: Full Biography and Profile

Ainsley Hayden Earhardt is a celebrated American conservative television host, journalist, and author. She is best known for her role as a co-host on the popular Fox News Channel morning program, Fox & Friends, a position she has held since 2016. Her career trajectory is a testament to her dedication, starting with local news before moving to the national stage.

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• Full Name: Ainsley Hayden Earhardt
• Date of Birth: September 20, 1976
• Age: 49 (as of December 2025)
• Birth Place: Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S.
• Education: University of South Carolina (B.A. in Journalism), Florida State University (briefly)
• Current Role: Co-host of Fox & Friends (joined Fox News in 2007)
• Children: Hayden Dubose Proctor (with second husband, Will Proctor)
• Current Partner: Sean Hannity (dating since 2019, with recent 2024 engagement rumors)
• First Marriage: Kevin McKinney (m. 2005; div. 2009)
• Second Marriage: Will Proctor (m. 2012; div. 2019)

The Untold Story of Ainsley Earhardt’s First Husband, Kevin McKinney

Before her marriage to former Clemson University quarterback Will Proctor and her current relationship with Sean Hannity, Ainsley Earhardt was married to Kevin McKinney. The details of their relationship are scarce, primarily because it occurred before Earhardt became a national television personality, allowing McKinney to maintain a significant degree of privacy.

1. Kevin McKinney is a Sales Professional from Texas

In contrast to Earhardt’s public-facing career, Kevin McKinney has a background in sales. He is a Texas native, reportedly born in San Antonio to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wayne McKinney. This professional and geographical distance from the New York media spotlight has allowed him to remain a private citizen, which is a rare feat for an ex-spouse of a major news anchor.

2. They Were College Sweethearts Who Married in South Carolina

The relationship between Ainsley Earhardt and Kevin McKinney began years before their wedding. They started dating around 2003, two years before they tied the knot. The couple married on April 9, 2005, at the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. At the time of their wedding, both were residents of San Antonio, Texas, where Earhardt was working as a local news anchor.

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3. The Marriage Lasted Just Four Years (2005–2009)

Ainsley Earhardt and Kevin McKinney’s marriage was a relatively short chapter in her life. They were married in the spring of 2005 and divorced in 2009. This period coincided with Ainsley Earhardt’s career transition from local news to the national stage, as she joined the Fox News Channel in 2007. The demands of a rapidly ascending career in New York media may have played a role in the dissolution of the marriage, though no specific reason was ever confirmed publicly.

4. The Divorce Was Low-Profile, Unlike Her Second Split

The separation and divorce from Kevin McKinney received minimal public attention. This contrasts sharply with her 2018 separation from her second husband, Will Proctor, which became a significant media story. The divorce from Proctor was public and involved allegations, which he strongly denied. The quiet nature of the McKinney divorce highlights how much Ainsley Earhardt’s public profile grew between her two marriages, making her first split a footnote compared to the intense scrutiny of her second.

5. Kevin McKinney Has Maintained a Strict Low Profile

Since the divorce in 2009, Kevin McKinney has largely disappeared from the public eye. While Ainsley Earhardt continued her career ascent, becoming one of the most recognizable faces on cable news, McKinney chose to keep his personal and professional life private. His decision to remain out of the media spotlight is a clear indication of his preference for a life away from the celebrity status that comes with being linked to a major television personality. This commitment to privacy is why specific, up-to-date details about his current life are virtually non-existent.

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From Will Proctor to Sean Hannity: Ainsley’s Life After Her First Divorce

Ainsley Earhardt’s relationship history after her first marriage is well-documented and provides important context to her life today, showcasing her resilience and focus on family.

The Marriage to Will Proctor and Daughter Hayden

In 2012, Ainsley Earhardt married her second husband, Will Proctor, a former college quarterback for the Clemson Tigers. This marriage lasted six years, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Hayden Dubose Proctor, in 2015. The birth of Hayden was a major milestone, and Ainsley often shares her experiences as a working mother on Fox & Friends.

The marriage ended in 2018, with Will Proctor filing for divorce. The split attracted significant public attention due to rumors of infidelity, which Proctor vehemently denied. Despite the public nature of the separation, both Ainsley and Will have committed to co-parenting their daughter, Hayden.

The High-Profile Romance with Sean Hannity

Following her second divorce, Ainsley Earhardt began a relationship with her long-time colleague, conservative talk show host Sean Hannity. The two have been romantically linked since 2019, and their relationship has been a constant source of media speculation.

The couple’s relationship has evolved into a high-profile romance, with recent reports and appearances, including at the 2024 Patriot Awards, confirming their status as a couple. There have been rumors and reports, even in late 2024, that the pair are engaged, although they generally keep the intimate details of their relationship private.

Ainsley Earhardt’s journey through marriage and divorce—from the quiet split with Kevin McKinney to the public separation from Will Proctor—ultimately led her to her current, high-profile relationship with Sean Hannity. Through it all, her primary focus remains on her career and raising her daughter, Hayden, a narrative that continues to resonate with her audience.