In the high-octane world of cable news, where every word is dissected and every gesture magnified, Ainsley Earhardt and Sean Hannity have long been a paradox. As two of Fox News’ most recognizable faces, their on-air personas—Earhardt’s sunny warmth and Hannity’s fiery conviction—are as familiar to millions as the morning coffee they sip while watching Fox & Friends or the evening debates sparked by Hannity. Yet, behind the bright lights and the unrelenting churn of headlines, the duo has cultivated a love story so private, so deliberately shielded from public view, that even their engagement announcement in December 2024 felt like a whisper in a storm.

For years, rumors swirled about their relationship, fueled by sightings at high-profile events and cryptic moments on air. But it wasn’t until Ainsley Earhardt, the 48-year-old co-host of Fox & Friends, sat down for an extraordinarily candid interview that the world got a glimpse into the heart of their bond—a bond forged in faith, tempered by heartbreak, and anchored by a single phrase that Hannity, 63, says to her every morning. It’s a phrase that, in her words, “still makes me cry,” not because it’s grand or performative, but because it’s a quiet testament to their shared journey.

A Love Born in the Spotlight, Kept in the Shadows

Ainsley Earhardt is no stranger to the public eye. Since joining Fox News in 2007, she has risen from anchoring overnight news to becoming the radiant face of Fox & Friends, a morning show that has held the top spot in cable news for over two decades. Her journey to the “curvy couch” was not without its challenges. Raised in the Carolinas, Earhardt admits she “did not know the first thing about politics” when she was hired by the late Fox News chief Roger Ailes. Yet, her authenticity and warmth made her a natural fit for a show that prides itself on connecting with Middle America.

Sean Hannity, by contrast, has been a fixture at Fox News since its inception in 1996. The host of Hannity, one of the network’s top-rated primetime shows, he is known for his unapologetic conservatism and his ability to command attention, whether debating governors or hosting the annual Fox Nation Patriot Awards. Together, Earhardt and Hannity represent two sides of Fox News’ identity: the heart and the fist, the morning uplift and the evening rallying cry.

Their paths first crossed professionally when Earhardt began hosting a segment called “Ainsley Across America” on Hannity’s show. At the time, both were married to other people—Earhardt to her first husband, Kevin McKinney, and later to former Clemson quarterback Will Proctor; Hannity to journalist Jill Rhodes for over two decades. But by 2019, both had gone through divorces, and whispers of a romance began to surface. The first public hint came when they arrived together at a wedding at Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster, New Jersey, stepping out of a helicopter in what one former Fox executive described as a “grand entrance.”

Yet, even as speculation grew, both Earhardt and Hannity fiercely guarded their privacy. In 2020, when Vanity Fair and People reported that they had been “secretively dating for years,” both issued denials. Earhardt, through a network spokesperson, said, “Right now I am focused on raising my daughter and I am not dating anyone.” Hannity was even more terse: “I do not discuss my personal life in public.” Their reticence only fueled curiosity, but it also underscored a truth that would later become clear: their relationship was not for the headlines.

The Nickname That Changed Everything

It was in a quiet moment during an interview with The Daily Mail in July 2025 that Ainsley Earhardt finally pulled back the curtain. Sitting in her Park Avenue apartment, a space she shares with her nine-year-old daughter, Hayden, and their miniature poodle, Rosie Tiny Buttercup, she spoke with a vulnerability that caught even her interviewer off guard. The topic turned to Sean Hannity, her fiancé, and the daily ritual that has come to define their bond.

“Every morning, he calls me ‘Sunshine,’” she said, her voice catching. “And somehow, it still makes me cry.”

The nickname, she explained, is more than a term of endearment. It’s a nod to her role as the co-host who “wakes up America” on Fox & Friends, but it’s also a reflection of the light she brings into Hannity’s life—a light that has been a constant through their shared trials. “He says it with this softness, like it’s just for me,” she continued. “It’s not for the cameras, not for the audience. It’s just… us.”

The origins of “Sunshine” are rooted in a moment of vulnerability. Earhardt recounted a particularly dark period in her life, following her divorce from Will Proctor in 2019. The split was painful, marked by allegations of infidelity that she tried to overlook in an effort to save the marriage. “I was broken,” she admitted. “I was trying to be strong for Hayden, but I felt like I was failing.” Hannity, who was navigating his own divorce from Jill Rhodes, became a pillar of support. “He was just there for me when I was going through a really hard time,” she said. “We kept it quiet for a while to make sure that we were going to work out, and we just enjoyed each other’s company.”

Hannity, known for his combative on-air persona, revealed a different side in those moments. “People think he’s this tough guy, always yelling,” Earhardt said with a laugh. “But off-camera, he’s so fun and funny and nice—the most generous man I’ve ever met.” The nickname “Sunshine” became a way for Hannity to remind her of her resilience, her ability to shine even in the darkest moments. And for Earhardt, who has endured two failed marriages and the loss of her mother, the word carries a weight that transcends its simplicity.

A Proposal Born of Faith

Their engagement, announced on December 26, 2024, was as understated as their relationship had been. Hannity proposed to Earhardt at their home church in Palm Beach, Florida, just days before Christmas. The setting was deliberate: both are devout Christians who have cited their shared faith as the cornerstone of their relationship. “It was kind of surreal,” Earhardt recalled. “The minister had all the Christmas lights on, all the candles were lit. He was there with his cup of coffee, and he just looked at us and said, ‘Have at it.’” Hannity got down on one knee, and with the church’s altar as their backdrop, asked her to marry him.

The moment was private, intimate, and deeply personal. “We bonded over our faith,” Earhardt said. “That church is our place, where we go to recharge, to pray, to be together. It was the perfect place for him to propose.” The couple met with their minister afterward, a gesture that underscored their commitment to building a life rooted in shared values. Their children—Hannity’s son, Patrick, and daughter, Merri, from his marriage to Rhodes, and Earhardt’s daughter, Hayden, from her marriage to Proctor—gave their blessing, with the couple noting that their kids “couldn’t be happier.”

A Long-Distance Love That Defies the Odds

One of the most remarkable aspects of Earhardt and Hannity’s relationship is its unconventional structure. Hannity relocated to Florida in January 2024, citing the state’s lower taxes, Republican leadership, and “freedom” as reasons for leaving New York. Earhardt, meanwhile, remains in Manhattan, where she films Fox & Friends and raises Hayden, who splits time between her mother and father. The couple has made their long-distance relationship work through weekend trips, with Earhardt flying to Hannity’s Palm Beach home or Hannity visiting New York.

“It’s not the most conventional setup,” Earhardt admitted on Fox & Friends in January 2025. “But we don’t miss a weekend without each other. We make it work. It’s easy.” The arrangement reflects their mutual respect for each other’s careers and responsibilities. Both have long-term contracts with Fox News Media, ensuring that Earhardt will continue to anchor Fox & Friends from New York while Hannity hosts his primetime show from Florida.

Their commitment to making it work is evident in the small gestures that define their relationship. Earhardt shared a story of a weekend in Palm Beach, where she, Hannity, and Hayden spent time together as a family. “He’s so good with her,” she said of Hannity’s relationship with her daughter. “He makes her laugh, and he’s patient. It’s the kind of thing you dream of when you’re a single mom, wondering if you’ll ever find that again.”

Navigating the Public Eye

Despite their efforts to keep their relationship private, Earhardt and Hannity have not been immune to scrutiny. In August 2025, President Donald Trump, a longtime friend and fan of both hosts, put them in an awkward spotlight during a call-in interview on Fox & Friends. “There’s a guy named Sean Hannity,” Trump said, “he might take a very lovely young lady that he knows very, very well to dinner in Washington… and she’s sitting right next to you by the way.” He went on to call them “the greatest relationship,” even speculating about their salaries, much to the discomfort of Earhardt and her co-hosts, who tried to steer the conversation back to policy.

Earhardt handled the moment with her characteristic grace, offering an awkward chuckle and a quick “Thank you” before moving on. But the incident highlighted the challenge of maintaining privacy in a world where every detail is fodder for headlines. “We don’t want any secrets here,” Trump declared, a sentiment that clashed with the couple’s desire to keep their personal lives out of the spotlight.

Social media reactions were mixed, with some users comparing Trump’s tangent to an “embarrassing great-grandparent at dinner” and others noting that the relationship was hardly a secret, given their engagement announcement months earlier. “They’re engaged? I’m not sure he ‘outed’ them. Lol,” one X user wrote. For Earhardt and Hannity, the moment was a reminder of the delicate balance they navigate as public figures in love.

A Love Built on Resilience

Earhardt’s journey to this moment has been marked by resilience. Her first marriage to Kevin McKinney ended in 2009, and her second to Will Proctor crumbled in 2018 amid painful allegations. She has spoken openly about the “dark times” that followed, including the grief of losing her mother and the challenge of raising Hayden as a single mother. “I’ve been through a lot,” she said. “But I’ve always believed that God has a plan, and Sean has been a part of that plan.”

Hannity, too, has faced his own challenges. His divorce from Jill Rhodes, with whom he shares two children, was finalized in 2019, though they had been separated for years. He has been criticized for promoting controversial narratives on his show, including conspiracy theories that drew backlash and lawsuits. Yet, those who know him off-camera describe a man who is fiercely loyal and deeply committed to those he loves.

Their relationship, built on mutual support and shared faith, has been a source of strength. “I respect him so much,” Earhardt said. “I look up to him. He’s been there for all of us in our careers. We all love and adore him, and then we fell in love a few years ago, and it’s been a wonderful ride.”

Looking to the Future

As they plan their wedding, Earhardt and Hannity are focused on blending their families and continuing their careers. Earhardt has no plans to leave New York, where Hayden thrives in school and their co-parenting arrangement with Proctor works “seamlessly.” Hannity, meanwhile, is settled in Florida, where he owns a $5.3 million townhouse near Mar-a-Lago. The couple has discussed a prenup, a practical step given their high-profile careers and past divorces, but their focus remains on the emotional foundation of their relationship.

For Earhardt, the journey to this moment has been one of healing and hope. “I would love to find love again and demonstrate a loving relationship for Hayden one day,” she told People in 2019, before her relationship with Hannity became public. Now, as she prepares to become his wife, she sees their love as a testament to perseverance. “It’s not always easy,” she said. “But when you find someone who sees you, who calls you ‘Sunshine’ every morning, it’s worth it.”

A Quiet Legacy

In an industry built on noise, Ainsley Earhardt and Sean Hannity have crafted a love story that thrives in the quiet moments. It’s in the daily phone calls, the weekend reunions, the whispered nickname that carries the weight of their shared history. “Sunshine” is more than a word; it’s a promise, a reminder that even in the chaos of cable news, love can be a sanctuary.

As Earhardt prepares to walk down the aisle, she carries with her the lessons of her past and the hope of her future. “I’m so grateful,” she said, her eyes glistening. “For him, for Hayden, for this life. It’s not perfect, but it’s ours.” And for those who have followed their journey, that single word—“Sunshine”—changes everything. It’s a reminder that behind the headlines, beyond the cameras, there’s a love story that’s as real as it is rare.