Sean Hannity Biography
Sean Hannity is an American news analyst, conservative political commentator, talk show host, and writer working for FOX NEWS as a host of FOX News Channel’s Hannity weeknights, 9 PM/ET. He joined the FOX news team in 1996, after previously working for WGST-AM.
Sean Hannity Career
Hannity attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Hempstead, New York, and later, St. Pius X Preparatory Seminary in Uniondale, New York. He further pursued his education at New York University and Adelphi University but did not complete his degree at either institution. In 1982, he initiated a house painting business and subsequently worked as a building contractor in Santa Barbara, California. A few years later, in 1989, he began hosting his inaugural talk radio show at the volunteer college station KCSB-FM at UC Santa Barbara. This occurred while he was concurrently employed as a general contractor. The show spanned 40 hours of airtime. His weekly show on KCSB was canceled after less than a year due to controversy surrounding discussions on gay and lesbian rights, which were considered contentious.
The university board governing the station initially decided to cancel the show. However, after a campaign led by the Santa Barbara chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union argued that the station had violated Hannity’s First Amendment rights, the decision was reversed. However, he did not return to KCSB when the station refused to issue a public apology and provide more airtime. After leaving KCSB, he placed an advertisement presenting himself as “the most talked-about college radio host in America.” He was subsequently hired by radio station WVNN in Athens, Alabama, as the afternoon talk show host. Later, he moved to WGST in Atlanta in 1992, filling the slot vacated by Neal Boortz.
In September 1996, Fox News co-founder Roger Ailes hired him to host a television program initially titled “Hannity and LTBD” (“liberal to be determined”). Alan Colmes was later hired as co-host, and the show debuted as “Hannity & Colmes.” In 1997, he left WGST for New York, where he initially substituted for WABC’s afternoon drive-time host during Christmas week. WABC then gave him the late-night time slot in January 1997, followed by the afternoon time slot in January 1998. Additionally, he continued in the afternoon time slot until the end of 2013. Since January 2014, he has hosted the 3:00–6:00 p.m. time slot on WOR in New York City. His radio program, “The Sean Hannity Show,” is a conservative political talk show that reflects Hannity’s opinions and ideology on current issues and politicians.
The show began national syndication on September 10, 2001, and has been available on over 500 stations nationwide. Furthermore, he signed a $25 million five-year contract extension with ABC Radio (now Citadel Media) in 2004, continuing the show until 2009. The program is also available via the Armed Forces Radio Network. In 2006, ABC Radio was sold to Citadel Communications, and he signed a $100 million five-year contract in the summer of 2008. As of March 2018, the show is heard by more than 13.5 million listeners a week. Moreover, he was ranked No. 2 in Talkers Magazine’s 2017 Heavy Hundred and was listed as No. 72 on Forbes’ “Celebrity 100” list in 2013. In January 2007, Clear Channel Communications signed a groupwide three-year extension with him, covering over 80 stations.
The largest stations in the group deal included KTRH Houston, KFYI Phoenix, WPGB Pittsburgh, WKRC Cincinnati, WOOD Grand Rapids, WFLA Tampa, WOAI San Antonio, WLAC Nashville, and WREC Memphis. Furthermore, he signed a long-term contract to remain with Premiere Networks in September 2013. At the beginning of 2014, he signed contracts to air on several Salem Communications stations, including WDTK Detroit, WIND Chicago, WWRC (now WQOF) Washington, D.C., and KSKY Dallas. He has been involved in several television programs, showcasing his conservative views and engaging in political discussions: Hannity & Colmes; Here, he co-hosted this political “point-counterpoint”-style television program on the Fox News Channel with Alan Colmes.
The show featured him presenting the conservative point of view, while Colmes provided the liberal viewpoint. Hannity’s America a Sunday Night Show: In January 2007, Hannity began hosting a Sunday night television show on Fox News titled “Hannity’s America.”The Hannity (Solo Show): After Alan Colmes announced his departure from “Hannity & Colmes” in November 2008, Hannity took over the time slot with his own solo show, titled “Hannity.” The format is similar to “Hannity’s America.” He is the author of four New York Times bestsellers:
- Live Free or Die: Released in 2020, this book discusses the challenges facing America and the world.
- Let Freedom Ring: Winning the War of Liberty Over Liberalism: Published in 2002, this book explores the ideological battle between conservatism and liberalism.
- Deliver Us From Evil: Defeating Terrorism, Despotism, and Liberalism: Published in 2004, this book addresses issues related to terrorism, despotism, and liberalism.
- Conservative Victory: Defeating Obama’s Radical Agenda: Released in 2010, this book focuses on countering what Hannity perceives as the radical agenda of then-President Barack Obama.
Additionally, he has received several awards and honors for his work in radio and broadcasting: The Marconi Award in 2003 and 2007 as the Network Syndicated Personality of the Year from the National Association of Broadcasters. Talkers Magazine: In 2009, was No. 2 on their list of the 100 most important radio talk show hosts in America. He received the Freedom of Speech Award from the same magazine in 2003. Honorary Degree: In 2005, Jerry Falwell, chancellor of Liberty University, awarded Hannity an honorary degree. A National Radio Hall of Fame: Hannity was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in November 2017. In addition, he has made cameo appearances in both film and television, including a brief voice-over in The Siege as an unseen reporter, roles in Atlas Shrugged: Part II, and a guest appearance as himself in the second season of House of Cards.
He served as an executive producer and actor in the 2017 film Let There Be Light, co-starring Kevin Sorbo. As of April 2018, he was reported to own at least 877 residential properties, acquired for nearly $89 million. Some of these properties were purchased with assistance from loans provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, primarily located in working-class neighborhoods. The management of these properties has been criticized for its aggressive approach, resulting in a higher-than-average eviction rate. Moreover, his property managers claim that he is not actively involved in overseeing the management of the more than 1,000 properties in which he has a stake.
Sean Hannity Salary
Hannity earns an annual salary of about $47,000-$120,000.
Sean Hannity Net Worth
Hannity has an estimated net worth of about $1 Million – $7 Million which she has earned through her career as a political commentator.
Sean Hannity Age
Hannity was born on December 30, 1961, in New York, United States. He is 62 years old as of 2024, and he celebrates his birthday on the 30th of December every year.
Sean Hannity Height and Weight
Hannity stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches tall however, information about his weight has not been disclosed.
Sean Hannity Family
Hannity is the son of Lillian (née Flynn) who was a stenographer and a corrections officer at a county jail, and Hugh Hannity who was a family court officer and a World War II veteran. He was the youngest of four siblings and the only boy. His siblings are, Therese Grisham, Mary-Jo Kuchta, and Coleen Hannity who died only a month after birth.
Sean Hannity Wife and Children
Hannity is married to Jill Rhodes who he met in 1991 and they tied the knot on 1993. In June 2020, the couple announced that they had divorced the previous year but had separated years prior. Together they have been blessed with two children, whom they named; Patrick, born in 1998, and daughter, Merri, born in 2001. Both of his children graduated from Cold Spring Harbor High School. Patrick pursued his education at Wake Forest University, where he was involved in playing tennis. On the other hand, Merri is enrolled at the University of Michigan, where she continues to pursue her education and plays tennis as well. During her high school years, Merri achieved recognition as the fourth-highest-ranked tennis player in the state of New York. He resides in New York together with his family.
Sean Hannity New Wife
As of 2023, Hannity remains unmarried and is currently in a relationship with Ainsley Earhardt, his co-host on Fox & Friends. Before their relationship, Hannity and Earhardt attended a wedding together at Trump National Golf Course in Colts Neck, New Jersey, in August 2019. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Earhardt hosted her Fox & Friends program from a remote studio located in the basement of Hannity’s residence on Long Island.
Relationships with Donald Trump, Michael Cohen and other officials
Hannity has cultivated a notable and influential relationship with former President Donald Trump, characterized by vocal support and numerous interviews on his television and radio platforms. His advocacy for Trump’s policies and occasional advisory role has underscored the close bond between the two. Additionally, his connection to Michael Cohen, Trump’s personal attorney, gained public attention in 2018 during legal proceedings. While he downplayed the nature of their legal interactions, it raised questions about the extent of their relationship. His broader associations with political figures and officials have been a defining aspect of his career. His direct access and personal relationships with influential individuals have been subjects of scrutiny, sparking debates about the delineation between journalism and advocacy in his role.
Sean Hannity LGBTQ Rights
In 1989, during his radio show on KCSB, Sean Hannity sparked controversy with anti-gay comments, labeling AIDS as a “gay disease” and accusing the media of concealing pertinent information. He featured anti-gay activist Gene Antonio, who promoted contentious ideas about AIDS transmission, including the claim that it could spread through sneezing. He made derogatory remarks about homosexuality, describing it as a “lower form of behavior” and equating it to “playing in a sewer.” Furthermore, he insulted a lesbian caller, expressing pity for her child. Following the controversy, he demanded a formal apology and double airtime, but the station declined to meet his additional demands, leading to his refusal to return. In 2017, he expressed regret for these comments, acknowledging them as “ignorant and embarrassing.”
Sean Hannity FOX NEWS
While working for FOX NEWS Hannity co-works alongside:
Social Media Platform
Hannity is very active on his Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages. He has 6.5M followers on Twitter 2M followers on Instagram, and 4.6M followers on Facebook.