Ever wondered how a small-town girl from South Carolina became one of America’s most recognisable morning TV faces? Meet Ainsley Earhardt – the bubbly co-host of Fox & Friends who’s been waking up the nation for years! From her humble beginnings as a local reporter to becoming a bestselling author and earning millions, her story is absolutely fascinating.
Biography
Ainsley Hayden Earhardt’s story begins on September 20, 1976, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where she was born into a loving Christian family. Her parents, Lewie Wayne Earhardt and Dale Elise (Giles) Earhardt, raised her alongside her older sister, Elise Giles Earhardt, and younger brother, Trenton Graham Earhardt.
The Earhardt family was proper nomads during Ainsley’s childhood! When she was just a tot, they packed up and moved to the Foxcroft area of Charlotte, North Carolina. But the moving wasn’t over yet – whilst she was still in primary school, the family relocated again to Columbia, South Carolina, where she’d spend her formative years.
It was in Columbia where Ainsley really found her feet. She attended Spring Valley High School and graduated in 1995, already showing signs of the charisma that would later make her a household name. Her classmates probably had no idea they were rubbing shoulders with a future TV star!
Education
Here’s something that might surprise you – Ainsley didn’t always dream of being on telly! She actually started at Florida State University studying biology before having a complete change of heart. Talk about a plot twist! She transferred to the University of South Carolina, where she switched to journalism and absolutely smashed it, finishing as the top student in her programme.
This wasn’t just academic success – Ainsley was clearly destined for greatness in media. Her professors must have seen something special because she graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism in 1999, ready to take on the world!
Career
Like many successful journalists, Ainsley started from the bottom. Her very first job? Working at a Hallmark shop! But she quickly found her calling when WLTX (the local CBS station in Columbia) hired her as a reporter whilst she was still at university. Now that’s what you call getting a head start!
From 2000 to 2004, she worked her way up to become the morning and noon anchor. One story that really put her on the map was her coverage after 9/11, when South Carolina middle school students raised nearly half a million dollars to buy a new fire truck for firefighters who lost theirs at the World Trade Center. Absolutely heartwarming stuff!
In 2005, Ainsley packed her bags for San Antonio, Texas, where she anchored at KENS-TV. But here’s where it gets exciting – this girl wasn’t just reading the news, she was living it! She completed a half-marathon in Austin, went skydiving with the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights, and even flew in an F-16 with the Air Force Thunderbirds. Talk about taking your job to new heights!
Fox News Chapter Begins
2007 marked the turning point in Ainsley’s career when she joined Fox News Channel in New York City. Plot twist: she admits she “didn’t know the first thing about politics” when Roger Ailes hired her! Sometimes the best opportunities come when you least expect them.
She started with her own segment called “Ainsley Across America” on Hannity’s show and co-hosted various programmes, including Fox & Friends Weekend and All-American New Year’s Eve. But the big break came in 2016 when she became a co-host of Fox & Friends.
Controversy and Criticism
Let’s be honest – working in news, especially political news, means you’re going to ruffle some feathers. Ainsley has faced her fair share of criticism over the years. She made some factual errors that caught public attention, like incorrectly calling Japan “communist” during World War II coverage, and made controversial statements about voting and political issues.
In December 2021, she found herself in hot water after mixing up Christmas and Hanukkah symbols on air. These moments remind us that even seasoned professionals can slip up – we’re all human, after all!
Awards and Recognition
Despite the controversies, Ainsley’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed:
- University of South Carolina Young Alumni Award (2007)
- Outstanding Young Alumni Award from USC’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- “Best Personality of the Year” by Columbia Metropolitan Magazine
- Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from USC (2024)
Books
Beyond television, Ainsley has penned four books that have touched countless hearts:
- “Take Heart, My Child: A Mother’s Dream” – A beautiful children’s book
- “Through Your Eyes: My Child’s Gift to Me” – Another heartwarming children’s tale
- “I’m So Glad You Were Born: Celebrating Who You Are” – Perfect for little ones
- “The Light Within Me” – Her inspirational memoir
All her books are available on Amazon and have been quite popular with families across America. Her memoir The Light Within Me has been particularly successful, contributing significantly to her impressive net worth alongside her three bestselling children’s books.
Personal Life
Ainsley’s personal life has been quite the rollercoaster. Her first marriage to Kevin McKinney lasted from 2005 to 2009. Then in October 2012, she tied the knot with Will Proctor, a former Clemson University quarterback (bit awkward since she went to their rival school, USC!).
Their daughter, Hayden Dubose Procto,r was born on November 6, 2015, and she’s now 9 years old. Sadly, that marriage also ended in divorce in 2019.
But here’s the exciting update – in August 2019, rumours started swirling about her relationship with fellow Fox News star Sean Hannity. They were spotted together at a wedding at Trump National Golf Course, and sources claimed she was hosting Fox & Friends from his Long Island mansion during the pandemic!
The couple kept things under wraps for years, but the cat’s finally out of the bag – they got engaged on Christmas Day 2024 at their church in Florida! How romantic is that? With wedding bells presumably ringing within the coming months, there’s been loads of speculation about their combined wealth and what this power couple will bring to the table.
Ainsley is open about her Christian faith, which plays a significant role in her life. In a 2018 interview, she said: “I’m so excited about what God has done in my life and I love Jesus and I can’t hide that. I really believe that if I ever did that I would lose it all.”
Her faith influences her work and personal decisions, and she’s not afraid to speak about it publicly, which resonates with many of her viewers.
Net Worth
Now for the juicy bit everyone wants to know about – the money! With her recent engagement to Sean Hannity making headlines, there’s been loads of scrutiny and speculation about Ainsley’s impressive financial status. And rightfully so – this girl has done incredibly well for herself!
Current Net Worth: £6.4 million ($8 million)
Annual Fox News Salary: £2.4 million ($3 million)
That’s quite impressive considering the average American journalist earns between £47,000-£88,000 ($59,000-$110,000) annually! Ainsley is believed to be one of the highest-paid female anchors on television today, though her fiancé Sean Hannity’s wealth absolutely dwarfs hers (we’re talking seriously big numbers there!).
Her wealth comes from several sources:
- Fox News Salary: Her primary earner at $3 million annually
- Bestselling Books: Royalties from her memoir and three children’s books
- Speaking Engagements: Lucrative appearances at events
- Media Collaborations: Various TV appearances and partnerships
Interestingly, some reports suggest her net worth has only grown since her divorce from Will Proctor was finalized in 2019. Financial independence clearly suits her!
These days, Ainsley lives in Manhattan and has built quite the social media following. Her Instagram account (@aearhardt) boasts over 360,000 followers who love getting glimpses into her life. One of her most popular posts about Melania Trump has racked up over 800,000 views!
She’s also a proud dog mum to two adorable pups named Stash and Little Stash – because who doesn’t love a good pet story?
What do you think about Ainsley’s journey from small-town reporter to TV icon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!