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Who Is Jill Rhodes? The Real Life Story of Sean Hannity’s Ex-Wife

Jill Rhodes is a former American journalist and the ex-wife of famous Fox News host Sean Hannity. Most people know her because of her marriage to one of America’s biggest TV personalities. But Jill Rhodes has her own story that many people do not know about. She worked as a political writer, a book editor, and a TV editor. She helped build Sean Hannity’s career from the very beginning. Even after their divorce in 2019, she stayed close to her ex-husband and focused on raising their two children. In this article, you will learn about her early life, her career, her marriage, her divorce, and where she is now.

Jill Rhodes Bio Table

DetailInformation
Full NameJill Rhodes Hannity
Date of BirthAugust 27, 1962
Age63 years old (as of 2025)
BirthplaceMontgomery, Alabama, USA
NationalityAmerican
EducationBachelor’s Degree in Journalism, University of Alabama
ProfessionFormer Journalist, Book Editor, TV Editor
Ex-HusbandSean Hannity (married 1993, divorced 2019)
ChildrenPatrick Hannity (born 1998) and Merri Kelly Hannity (born 2001)
Height5 feet 4 inches (163 cm)
Net WorthAround $5 million (estimated)
Known ForBeing Sean Hannity’s ex-wife, journalism career
Social MediaNot active on any platform

Early Life and Education

Jill Rhodes was born on August 27, 1962, in Montgomery, Alabama. She grew up in a simple and traditional family in the southern United States. Not much is known about her parents or her childhood because she has always been a very private person.

After finishing high school in Alabama, Jill joined the University of Alabama. She studied journalism there and got her bachelor’s degree. This education gave her the skills she needed to start a strong career in the media world. Her time at the university helped her understand politics, news writing, and how the media works.

Career in Journalism

After she finished her studies, Jill Rhodes got a job as a political columnist at the Huntsville Times newspaper in Alabama. She wrote about local politics and quickly became known for her smart writing. Her work at the newspaper helped her meet many important people in the media, including her future husband, Sean Hannity.

Jill later moved to New York and worked as a book editor in Manhattan for some time. After that, she also worked as a TV editor. She helped Sean Hannity with his shows and gave him story ideas. Sean himself once called her the main reason behind his success. Even though she stepped away from the spotlight, her work behind the scenes played a big part in building Sean Hannity’s career on Fox News.

How Jill Rhodes Met Sean Hannity

Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity first connected in 1991. At that time, Sean was working as a radio host at WVNN radio station in Huntsville, Alabama. He used to call Jill at the newspaper office to ask for story ideas. He also left her funny and sweet voice messages. They talked on the phone many times before they even met face to face.

The couple finally met in person in 1992 at a Huntsville mayoral debate that Sean was hosting. They quickly bonded over their shared love for politics and conservative values. Jill later said in an interview that she knew right away that Sean was going to be her husband. Their connection was strong from the very start.

Jill Rhodes

Marriage and Family Life

Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity got married on January 9, 1993. After the wedding, the couple moved to New York to support Sean’s growing career in media. In 1996, Sean got the chance to co-host “Hannity and Colmes” on Fox News, and Jill stood by his side through it all.

The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Patrick, in 1998. Their daughter, Merri Kelly, was born in 2001. Jill chose to step back from her own career to focus on raising her children and supporting her husband. Sean dedicated his first book, “Let Freedom Ring,” to Jill and their kids. He wrote that his family made his life “complete and happy on more levels than I can explain.”

Their Divorce

In June 2020, Sean Hannity and Jill Rhodes made a public announcement about their divorce. But the truth is that they had already separated years before that. Reports say that they signed the divorce papers in 2019 and had reached a friendly agreement about four years earlier.

The main reason for their split is believed to be Sean’s very busy work schedule. He spent long hours on his radio show and TV program, and this left little time for family life. However, there was no big public fight or ugly drama. In their joint statement, they said they were “committed to working together for the best interests of their children.” People close to them said it was hard to even tell they had split up because they co-parented so well.

Life After Divorce

After the divorce, Jill Rhodes chose to live a very quiet and private life. She does not use social media and rarely appears in public. She continues to focus on her children and stays away from the spotlight. Some reports say she still works as an editor on Sean Hannity’s TV show.

Even though they are no longer married, Jill and Sean have kept a friendly relationship. Sources close to the family say they still have family dinners together and go to their children’s tennis events. When Sean got engaged to his Fox News co-worker Ainsley Earhardt on Christmas Day 2024, both families were supportive of each other. Jill has shown that she values peace and her children’s happiness above everything else.

Jill Rhodes Net Worth

Jill Rhodes has an estimated net worth of around $5 million. This money comes from her long career in journalism, her work as a book editor and TV editor, and her divorce settlement from Sean Hannity. Sean Hannity himself has a much larger net worth, which some sources estimate at over $250 million.

During their marriage, the couple owned expensive properties, including a mansion on Long Island, New York. After the divorce, Jill received a fair financial settlement. While the exact details of the agreement are private, it is clear that Jill is financially secure and comfortable.

Jill Rhodes Children

Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity have two children together. Their son Patrick was born in 1998, and their daughter Merri Kelly was born in 2001. Both children have mostly stayed out of the public eye, just like their mother.

Patrick and Merri Kelly are now adults. Both parents have worked hard to give them a normal and happy life despite the divorce. Reports say the children were also happy and supportive when Sean Hannity announced his engagement to Ainsley Earhardt. Jill and Sean’s ability to co-parent peacefully has clearly had a positive effect on their family.

Conclusion

Jill Rhodes is much more than just Sean Hannity’s ex-wife. She is a talented journalist, a loving mother, and a woman who helped build one of the biggest careers in American TV news. Even after her divorce, she handled everything with grace and maturity. She chose privacy over fame and family over drama. Her story is a good reminder that the people behind the scenes often play the most important role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jill Rhodes?

Jill Rhodes is a former American journalist and the ex-wife of Fox News host Sean Hannity. She worked as a political columnist, book editor, and TV editor during her career.

When did Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity get divorced?

Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity signed their divorce papers in 2019. They made the news public in June 2020. They had been separated for several years before the divorce became official.

Does Jill Rhodes have children?

Yes, Jill Rhodes has two children with Sean Hannity. Their son Patrick was born in 1998, and their daughter Merri Kelly was born in 2001.

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