Jill Rhodes is a former newspaper columnist from Alabama, best known as the first wife of Fox News host Sean Hannity. Her name still draws steady search interest, even though she has stayed far away from cameras and interviews.
This guide pulls together what is publicly reported about her age, career, marriage, children, and life after the divorce. Where sources disagree or a detail cannot be confirmed, the article says so clearly.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Jill Rhodes |
| Date of Birth | August 27, 1962 (most commonly reported) |
| Age | About 64 |
| Birthplace | Alabama, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Alabama, journalism (widely reported) |
| Profession | Journalist, political columnist |
| Known For | Her column at The Huntsville Times and her marriage to Sean Hannity |
| Former Husband | Sean Hannity |
| Marriage | January 1993 |
| Divorce | Reported as 2019 (some outlets say 2020) |
| Children | Patrick and Merri Kelly |
| Height, Weight, Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Rhodes has never released personal stats. Figures for height, weight, or net worth on some sites have no named source, so they are left out here.
Jill Rhodes Earlylife
Jill Rhodes was born in Alabama and grew up with a strong interest in writing and public affairs. That interest pointed her toward journalism early on.
Most profiles say she studied journalism at the University of Alabama. Exact details about her parents, siblings, and childhood town are not confirmed, and one outlet naming Montgomery as her hometown is not backed by a second source.
How Old Is Jill Rhodes?
Jill Rhodes is about 64 years old. The most common birth date reported is August 27, 1962, which means she turned 64 in August 2026.
Be careful with lower-quality sites. A few list 1967 or 1968 as her birth year, but no official record supports those dates. The 1962 date appears across the largest number of profiles, so it is used here as the working figure.
What Is Jill Rhodes’ Background?
Rhodes comes from Alabama and built her early career inside the state’s media scene. Newspapers gave her a base, and she was already a working journalist before the public knew her as Hannity’s wife.
That detail sets her apart from many celebrity spouse profiles. Her story starts with her own byline, not with a famous partner.
What Does Jill Rhodes Do for a Living?
Jill Rhodes worked as a journalist and writer. Her best documented role is political columnist at The Huntsville Times in north Alabama.
Here is how her career is usually summarized:
- Political columnist: She covered local politics and public affairs for The Huntsville Times in the early 1990s.
- Book editor: Several profiles say she worked as an editor in Manhattan after the move to New York, though this appears mostly in secondary sources.
- Radio work: A few sites place her at WVNN in Huntsville, but this claim is thinly sourced, so treat it as unconfirmed.
- Informal adviser: Reports say she shared story ideas with Hannity early in his radio career.
Her current profession is not publicly known. She has no verified byline or public job listing today.
Jill Rhodes and Her Connection to Sean Hannity
Their story began in 1991 in Huntsville. Rhodes was writing for The Huntsville Times, and Hannity was hosting a talk show at WVNN radio.
Accounts say Hannity first called her to ask for story ideas. They reportedly met in person soon after, at a Huntsville mayoral debate he had organized, and the connection grew from there.
As Hannity moved from local radio to national television, the family moved to the New York area. Rhodes stayed out of the spotlight while his profile grew.
How Long Was Jill Rhodes Married to Sean Hannity?
The marriage lasted about 26 years. Hannity and Rhodes married in January 1993, and most outlets report the divorce as final in 2019.
Some outlets give 2020 as the end year, mostly because news of the split became widely public in June 2020. The Sun reported that the couple separated for roughly two years before the divorce was finalized.
| Year | Event |
| 1991 | Rhodes and Hannity meet in Huntsville |
| 1993 | They marry |
| Around 2017 | The couple reportedly separates |
| 2019 | Divorce reported as final |
| 2020 | The split becomes widely public |
| 2024 | Hannity gets engaged to Ainsley Earhardt |
| 2026 | Hannity marries Earhardt |
Jill Rhodes’ Family and Children
Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity have two children. Their son is Sean Patrick, known as Patrick, and their daughter is Merri Kelly. Both are now adults.
Rhodes has protected her children’s privacy. Verified photos and interviews are rare, which matches her low profile.
Hannity has spoken warmly about his family in public. Reports also say he dedicated one of his books to his wife and children during their marriage.
What Happened After Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity’s Divorce?
The split was handled quietly. Neither side released a detailed public statement, and both kept the focus on their children.
No official reason for the divorce has been given. Some tabloids point to Hannity’s heavy work schedule, but those claims come from unnamed friends and are secondhand.
Watch out for sites that claim lawsuits, money fights, or health problems. No credible outlet backs those stories, and many appear written only to attract clicks.
After the divorce, Hannity stayed on air at Fox News. Rhodes returned to private life.
Who Is Sean Hannity’s Partner Now?
Hannity’s partner is now his wife, Ainsley Earhardt, a co-host of Fox & Friends. Fox News reported that the two married on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida.
That is the same church where Hannity proposed over Christmas in 2024. The engagement was announced in December 2024, so older articles that still call them engaged are out of date.
Earhardt has a daughter, Hayden, from a previous marriage. Both she and Hannity have said they remain on good terms with their former spouses.
What Is Jill Rhodes Known For?
Jill Rhodes is known for a few clear things:
- Journalism: Her political column at The Huntsville Times gave her a real career before her marriage.
- Marriage to Sean Hannity: Their roughly 26 years together are the main reason people search her name.
- Privacy: She avoided interviews and public events even while married to a TV host.
- Motherhood: She raised two children while her husband’s career grew.
Many people first learn her name through Hannity. Her own work as a reporter deserves equal credit.
Where Is Jill Rhodes Now?
Jill Rhodes lives privately. She has no verified social media presence, gives no interviews, and rarely appears at public events.
Her current job and home location are not publicly confirmed. Anyone claiming exact details about her daily life is guessing, and that kind of speculation is best skipped out of respect for her privacy.
Final Thoughts
Jill Rhodes is more than a name linked to a famous host. She built a journalism career in Alabama, married Sean Hannity in 1993, and raised two children, Patrick and Merri Kelly.
Since the divorce she has chosen a quiet life. The verified facts about her are limited, and that appears to be exactly how she prefers it.
FAQs
Who is Jill Rhodes?
Jill Rhodes is an American journalist and former political columnist from Alabama, best known as Sean Hannity’s first wife.
When did Jill Rhodes marry Sean Hannity?
They married in January 1993, after meeting through their work in Huntsville media in 1991.
How many children does Jill Rhodes have?
She has two children with Hannity, a son named Patrick and a daughter named Merri Kelly.
What does Jill Rhodes do now?
She lives a private life, and no verified public information exists about her current work or whereabouts.
