Ainsley Earhardt Opens Up About Love, Loss, and the Sweet Nickname Sean Hannity Calls Her Every Morning

A soft start, a second chance, and a romance built quietly behind the scenes.

She’s his “Sunshine” and not just on TV.

Ainsley Earhardt, Fox News anchor and co-host of Fox & Friends, is giving fans a rare glimpse into her personal life, including her long-rumored romance with fiancé Sean Hannity and the strength it took to rebuild after divorce and heartbreak.

In a warm, emotional interview from her Park Avenue apartment, Earhardt opened up about her relationship with Hannity, their engagement, and the personal struggles she has faced over the past few years. One of the sweetest moments she shared was how Hannity greets her each morning with a simple but affectionate nickname: “Sunshine.”

“He calls me that because I wake up America and I’m always smiling,” she shared, a smile gracing her face as she spoke of her fiancé.

From Private Pain to Public Love

Earhardt, 48, and Hannity, 63, confirmed their engagement in late 2024 after keeping their relationship largely under wraps for years. The two quietly got engaged just before Christmas in a candlelit church ceremony, blending their shared faith with deep emotional history.

Their bond was built not just in the newsroom, but through personal storms.

“I didn’t know Sean had gone through a divorce at first,” she admitted. “Nobody did. It was very private.”

For Ainsley, the pain of her own past was all too public. She finalized her divorce from former NFL quarterback Will Proctor in 2019, a year after filing amid rumors of infidelity. They had married in 2012 and welcomed daughter Hayden in 2015, following a miscarriage.

“I was a really strong Christian, and I wanted to be married forever to one person,” Earhardt said. “Life didn’t work out that way for me.”

Co-Parenting and Finding Balance

Now, Earhardt and Proctor co-parent their 9-year-old daughter in New York City. He handles morning drop-offs, while she does the pickups.

“I wanted [Hayden] to be in a happy home, not just one I stayed in because we were married,” she explained, emphasizing the importance of a healthy environment for her daughter.

Earhardt credits her faith, and Hannity’s unwavering support, for helping her navigate the darkest chapters of her life, including the devastating loss of her mother in 2022.

“Even in the bad times, I saw God… His presence lifted me up and carried me through,” she said, reflecting on her journey. “I learned a lot, not to be judgmental. Things happen, and you roll with the punches.”

Manhattan to Palm Beach: A Long-Distance Love Story

Though Earhardt is based in New York, she spends weekends with Hannity and Hayden at his stunning $23.5 million home in Palm Beach, Florida.

“We always do a family brunch after church on Sunday, and then Hayden and I fly back,” she said. “I love my New York life too.”

Their wedding plans are intimate and private, with only their children in attendance. Hannity shares two adult children with his ex-wife, Jill Rhodes. And, as is common in high-profile relationships, a prenup will be in place.

“It’s not romantic, but divorce happens,” Ainsley said candidly, acknowledging the realities of life while still maintaining a sense of humor about the situation.

A Quiet Love, a Bright New Chapter

Long before their romance made headlines, Hannity was simply a steady presence during Ainsley’s toughest days.

“He was just there for me when I was going through a really hard time,” she recalled. “We just enjoyed each other’s company, and I fell in love with him.”

The pair first sparked dating rumors in 2020 and later made a memorable helicopter entrance at Fox anchor Pete Hegseth’s wedding. Even then, they sought their boss’s blessing before going public. “I really want your support because I’m crazy about this guy,” Ainsley reportedly said.

Now, with a private wedding ahead and a long-distance routine that works for them, Earhardt says she’s grateful for the journey it took to get here.

“Sometimes you feel alone during those dark times,” she admitted, “but life is great now. It’s a rollercoaster, and it can be chaotic, but I’m loving every second of it.”

And every morning, one word from Sean Hannity still sets the tone:
“Sunshine.”