Jill Rhodes is a former American journalist best known as the ex-wife of Fox News host Sean Hannity. She spent more than two decades married to one of America’s most recognisable broadcasters, yet she has remained almost entirely out of the public eye. Her story matters not because of headlines or scandal, but because of the quiet, deliberate way she has kept her family life private in an industry built on exposure. This article looks at who Jill Rhodes really is, from her early career in journalism to her marriage, her divorce, and her life today.
Jill Rhodes: Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jill Rhodes |
| Known For | Former wife of Fox News host Sean Hannity |
| Date of Birth | 27 August 1962 |
| Birthplace | Montgomery, Alabama, USA |
| Education | University of Alabama (Journalism degree) |
| Career | Political columnist, book editor, television editor |
| Marriage | Married Sean Hannity in 1993 |
| Divorce | Finalised in 2019, announced publicly in 2020 |
| Children | Patrick Hannity (b. 1998), Merri Kelly Hannity (b. 2001) |
| Notable Trait | Highly private, avoids media and social media |
| Current Status | Maintains an amicable co-parenting relationship with Sean Hannity |
Who Is Jill Rhodes?
Jill Rhodes is a journalist and editor who was married to Sean Hannity from 1993 until their divorce was finalised in 2019. Before her marriage, she worked as a political columnist, and she later moved into book and television editing. She is the mother of Hannity’s two children and is widely described as a private, family-focused woman who avoids media attention.
Early Life and Background
Jill Rhodes was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on 27 August 1962. She grew up in the American South and later attended the University of Alabama, where she earned a degree in journalism. Details about her childhood and family remain scarce, largely because she has never sought public attention.
After graduating, she began her career in Huntsville, Alabama, working as a political columnist for The Huntsville Times. It was through this role that she first crossed paths with a young radio host who would later become her husband.
How Did Jill Rhodes Meet Sean Hannity?
Jill Rhodes met Sean Hannity in the early 1990s while he was working at WVNN radio in Huntsville. He began calling her for story ideas and story leads, and the professional contact soon turned into something more personal. Hannity reportedly left her frequent voicemail messages that made her laugh, and the pair eventually met in person in 1992 at a mayoral debate he had organised. Rhodes later said she knew almost instantly that he was the man she would marry.
The couple married in 1993, several years before Hannity became a household name on Fox News. At the time, Rhodes was already an established writer in her own right, and colleagues have noted that her early support played a meaningful part in his career development.
Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity’s Marriage
Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity were married for more than 25 years. During that time, Rhodes stepped back from full-time journalism to raise their two children and support her husband’s fast-growing broadcasting career. She later returned to work as a television editor, contributing behind the scenes while still keeping a low public profile.
The couple lived for many years on Long Island, New York, where their children attended school. Friends of the family have described the marriage as stable and close for a long time, though Hannity’s demanding work schedule, including daily radio broadcasts followed by primetime television, gradually put pressure on the relationship.
Children: Patrick and Merri Kelly Hannity
Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity have two children together.
- Patrick Hannity, born in 1998, attended Cold Spring Harbor High School in New York before studying at Wake Forest University, where he played competitive tennis.
- Merri Kelly Hannity, born in 2001, was ranked among the top tennis players in New York State during high school and went on to study at the University of Michigan, where she continued competing.
Both children have largely stayed out of the public spotlight, mirroring their mother’s preference for privacy.
The Divorce: What Happened Between Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity?
News of the couple’s divorce became public in June 2020, though the split had actually been finalised a year earlier, in 2019. Sources close to the family said the pair had lived separately for several years before making any public announcement, having reached an amicable agreement roughly four years before the news broke.
In a joint statement, Rhodes and Hannity said they remained committed to working together for the best interests of their children and asked for their privacy to be respected. People close to the couple later confirmed the split was not caused by infidelity, but rather by the strain of Hannity’s punishing work schedule, which left little time for family life. Despite the divorce, the pair have continued to attend family events together, including their children’s tennis tournaments.
Is Jill Rhodes Still Close With Sean Hannity?
Yes. Multiple sources close to the family have confirmed that Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity remain on friendly terms following their divorce. They have continued to share family dinners, support their children’s sporting activities together, and present a united front as co-parents. When Hannity later became engaged to Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt, reports indicated that Rhodes and the couple’s children responded supportively to the news.
What Is Jill Rhodes Doing Now?
Jill Rhodes has not held any public role since her divorce, and she continues to avoid social media and press interviews. What is known is that she previously worked as a television editor and has focused much of her time on raising her two children. Her financial situation is understood to be secure following the divorce settlement, though specific details have never been made public.
Conclusion
Jill Rhodes may be best known as Sean Hannity’s former wife, but her own story reflects a career in journalism, a long and largely stable marriage, and a strong commitment to her children’s wellbeing. Despite decades in the orbit of one of America’s most prominent broadcasters, she has consistently chosen privacy over publicity. Her continued amicable relationship with Hannity, even after divorce, says a great deal about her character and her priorities as a mother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jill Rhodes?
Jill Rhodes is a former American journalist and the ex-wife of Fox News host Sean Hannity. The couple were married from 1993 until their divorce was finalised in 2019.
How did Jill Rhodes meet Sean Hannity?
Jill Rhodes met Sean Hannity in the early 1990s while she worked as a political columnist in Huntsville, Alabama, and he hosted a local radio show. They married in 1993 after meeting in person at a mayoral debate.
Does Jill Rhodes have children with Sean Hannity?
Yes. Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity have two children together, a son named Patrick, born in 1998, and a daughter named Merri Kelly, born in 2001.
Why did Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity divorce?
Reports indicate the divorce was amicable and largely due to the strain of Hannity’s demanding broadcasting schedule rather than infidelity. The couple separated years before publicly confirming their divorce in June 2020.
Are Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity still on good terms?
Yes. Despite their divorce, Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity have remained close, continuing to co-parent their children and attend family events together as friends.
