Sean Hannity, the longtime Fox News host and conservative radio personality, has built a career spanning decades on unyielding commentary and political advocacy. Yet, behind the microphone and the spotlight, Hannity maintains a notably private family life. At the center of this personal world are his two children, Patrick and Merri Kelly, born from his 26-year marriage to journalist Jill Rhodes. While Hannity rarely delves into family matters on air, glimpses into his relationship with his kids reveal a father who prioritizes their achievements, shields them from scrutiny, and upholds traditional family values— even as his own life has evolved through divorce and remarriage.
A Family Rooted in Privacy and Achievement
Hannity and Rhodes married in 1993, welcoming son Patrick in 1998 and daughter Merri Kelly in 2001. The couple’s life in New York was marked by Hannity’s rising stardom, but they made a conscious effort to keep their children out of the public fray. Both Patrick and Merri attended the private Cold Spring Harbor High School on Long Island, where they discovered a shared passion for tennis—a sport that would become a cornerstone of their young lives and a point of pride for their father.
Hannity has occasionally shared his admiration for his children’s dedication to the game. Patrick, now 26, pursued his athletic ambitions at Wake Forest University, where he played on the Demon Deacons tennis team. Merri Kelly, 23, followed a similar path, competing at the University of Alabama before focusing on her professional development. In interviews and brief on-air mentions, Hannity has described his kids as “special” and highlighted their paths to success, emphasizing how their discipline mirrors the values he champions publicly. This pride extends beyond sports; both children have graduated from prestigious institutions, with Patrick earning a strong academic record, including a reported 4.2 GPA during his college years.
The Hannity-Rhodes divorce, announced in 2020 after a separation in 2019, was handled with discretion. The couple cited an amicable split, committing to co-parent their children without public drama. Rhodes, a former Fox News producer, has spoken sparingly, once noting that the dissolution wasn’t due to the reasons speculated by the media. Hannity echoed this sentiment, focusing on their ongoing parental responsibilities. Despite the end of the marriage, sources indicate that Hannity and Rhodes maintain a cooperative relationship centered on their kids’ well-being. This co-parenting dynamic has allowed Patrick and Merri to thrive away from the headlines, pursuing their interests without the weight of their father’s high-profile career.
Trials and Defenses: The Wake Forest Controversy
One of the few public windows into Hannity’s fatherly protectiveness came in 2021, amid a controversy surrounding Patrick’s college tennis career. Reports surfaced alleging that Hannity had purchased a $2.5 million home near Wake Forest’s campus and lent his private jet—painted in the university’s colors—to transport the team. Critics questioned whether these gestures violated NCAA rules or gave Patrick an unfair advantage.
Hannity swiftly defended his son, appearing on his show to clarify the facts and underscore Patrick’s merits. He highlighted his son’s academic excellence and athletic talent, denying any impropriety. “My son is a great kid,” Hannity stated, emphasizing that the home was a family investment and the jet usage was coincidental and compliant. An NCAA investigation concluded without findings against the family, vindicating Hannity’s account. This episode, while brief, showcased Hannity’s willingness to go on the offensive to protect his children from what he viewed as unfair media scrutiny—a recurring theme in his career, now applied personally.
The incident also underscored the challenges of raising children in a fishbowl. Patrick and Merri have largely avoided social media and public appearances, aligning with their father’s preference for privacy. Hannity has rarely posted about them on X (formerly Twitter), and recent searches of his account yield no direct mentions of Patrick or Merri in family contexts. Instead, his posts touch on broader themes like family values, child safety, and criticism of policies affecting youth—such as immigration’s impact on children or educational controversies—without personal anecdotes.
Blending Families: A New Chapter
Hannity’s family landscape shifted again in late 2024 when he announced his engagement to fellow Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt on Christmas Day. The couple, who had been dating privately since 2020, married in a low-key beach ceremony in April 2025, attended only by immediate family and close friends. Earhardt, 49, has a daughter, Hayden, from her previous marriage.
Reports suggest Hannity’s children played a supportive role in this transition. Sources close to the family indicated that Patrick and Merri were “in full support” of the proposal, reflecting a positive integration into the blended family dynamic. Earhardt has shared glimpses of family vacations in summer 2025, including sweet photos that hint at harmonious step-sibling relationships, though specifics about Patrick and Merri remain scarce. Hannity’s emphasis on co-parenting with Rhodes appears to extend to this new arrangement, ensuring stability for all the children involved.
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