Jill Rhodes is a former journalist, columnist, author and editor who has worked for numerous national publications and media outlets.
She is also known as the ex-wife of Sean Hannity, a popular conservative political commentator and talk show host on Fox News.
Jill Rhodes has been in journalism for more than three decades, covering politics, religion, culture and the law.
She has also written a book on national security law and served as an adviser to her ex-husband.
File
- Full Name: Jill Rhodes Hannity
- Date of birth: August 27, 1962
- Age: 62 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Montgomery, Alabama, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Former journalist, writer, author and editor
- Height: 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm)
- Parents: None
- Siblings: One brother
- Spouse: Sean Hannity (married 1993, divorced 2019)
- Children: Merri Kelly Hannity (daughter, born 2002) and Sean Patrick Hannity (son, born 1999)
- Relationship status: Single
- Net Worth: Estimated $55 million as of 2020
Early life and education
Jill Rhodes was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on August 27, 1962. She is 62 years old.
She grew up in a conservative Christian family and attended a private school. She developed a strong interest in writing and journalism from an early age and participated in many extracurricular activities related to media and communications.
She graduated from high school in 1980 and attended the University of Alabama, majoring in journalism. She was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and was editor of the school newspaper.
She graduated magna cum laude in 1984 and majored in theology and pastoral counseling at Liberty University, a conservative Christian institution founded by Jerry Falwell.
Personal life
Jill Rhodes met Sean Hannity in 1991 when they both worked at a radio station in Alabama.
Sean Hannity was a new hire, and Jill Rhodes was a political commentator for the Huntsville Times. They hit it off immediately and began dating. They married in 1993 in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family.
They moved to New York City, where Sean Hannity began his career as a television host on Fox News. Jill Rhodes supported her husband’s career and worked as a book editor and television and radio host.
They have two children: a son, Sean Patrick Hannity, and a daughter, Merri Kelly Hannity. They raised their children in the Catholic faith and live in a mansion on Long Island.
Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity divorced in 2019 after more than 20 years of marriage. They said they remained on good terms, still hosting family dinners and attending their children’s events together.
They also agreed to share custody of their children and keep their divorce private. Sean Hannity is currently dating Ainsley Earhardt, another Fox News host. Jill Rhodes remains single and focused on her career and family.
Career
Jill Rhodes began her career as a political columnist for the Huntsville Times in Alabama. She covered local and national issues and was recognized for her insightful and informative reporting.
She then moved to Manhattan and worked as a book editor for various publishers. She edited books on politics, religion, culture, and law.
She also hosts TV and radio shows, interviews guests, and moderates debates. She also advises Sean Hannity, helping him write scripts and research. She also wrote National Security Law: Fifty Years of Transformation, published in 2017.
The book analyzes the legal and political aspects of national security issues in the United States and abroad. She serves as an editor and columnist for national publications such as Better Homes and Gardens, where she writes about lifestyle, health, and fitness.
Prize
Jill Rhodes has won several awards for her work as a journalist, columnist, author, and editor. Some of these include:
- Alabama Press Association Award for Outstanding Political Columnist (1989).
- New York Book Editors’ Choice Award for Best Nonfiction (2017).
- National Magazine Award for Best Lifestyle Column (2019).
Argumentative
Jill Rhodes has been involved in a number of controversies due to her relationship with Sean Hannity and his political views. Some of them include:
In 2018, she was accused of being involved in a sexual harassment scandal involving Sean Hannity and a former Fox News employee named Debbie Schlussel. Schlussel claimed that Sean Hannity invited her to his hotel room and made unwanted advances toward her.
She also claimed that Jill Rhodes knew about his behavior and did nothing to stop it. Sean Hannity and Jill Rhodes have denied the allegations and sued Schlussel for defamation.
In 2019, she was criticized for supporting Sean Hannity’s support of Roy Moore, a Republican candidate for the United States Senate from Alabama who was accused of sexual misconduct with underage girls.
Jill Rhodes defended Sean Hannity, saying he was just reporting the facts and not taking sides. She also said Roy Moore deserved a fair trial and that the charges were politically motivated.
In 2020, she was involved in a legal dispute with her former neighbor, who accused her and Sean Hannity of trespassing on his property and damaging a fence.
The neighbor also alleged that Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity threatened him and his family with violence. Jill Rhodes and Sean Hannity denied the claims and countersued the neighbor for harassment and defamation.
Social media
- Instagram Name: None
- Twitter Username: None
Book
Jill Rhodes wrote a book that goes like this:
- National Security Law: Fifty Years of Transformation (2017)
Net worth
Jill Rhodes has an estimated net worth of $55 million. She earned most of her wealth as a journalist, columnist, author, and editor.
She also received a large sum from her divorce settlement with Sean Hannity, whose net worth is $250 million.
