Fox News personalities Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt announced their engagement over the Christmas break, confirming a long-awaited step in their relationship. However, according to Fox News, the couple plans to continue living separately.

Hannity, 62 and Earhardt, 48, have been discreet about their romance since it became public in 2020 and maintained their sense of privacy throughout their courtship.

“We are overjoyed and so thankful to our families for all of their love and support during this wonderful time in our lives,” the couple said, adding that their children support their union and “couldn’t be happier for them.”

Hannity has two children – Sean Jr. and Merri with ex-wife Jill Rhodes – while Earhardt shares a daughter, Hayden, with ex-spouse Will Proctor.

Despite their engagement, Hannity and Earhardt plan to maintain separate residences. Hannity will continue to reside in his recently acquired $23.5 million Florida mansion, while Earnhardt will remain in New York City, where she cohosts the morning show Fox & Friends.

Hannity announced his move to Florida earlier this year, relocating from New York to pursue “freedom.” He initially purchased a $5.3 million property in Palm Beach in 2021, where he films his show. He used it as a vacation home before deciding to make the move permanent.

In December, he made headlines by purchasing a $23.5 million estate in Manalapan, Florida. The waterfront mansion has eight bedrooms, 10 ½ bathrooms and 1.86 acres of waterfront land about 30 minutes from Palm Beach.

Cutting New York Ties

Originally built in 1990, the Manalapan estate has undergone significant renovations since its 2021 sale, according to the listing by Gary Phorer and Nick Malinosky of The Exclusive Group at Douglas Elliman. Updates include new flooring, upgraded bathrooms, impact-resistant sliding doors and a state-of-the-art cooling system for the wine room.

The home’s most captivating feature may be its prime location on the barrier island that offers beachfront proximity, ensuring residents enjoy privacy and water views.

Designed for water enthusiasts, the home boasts a resort-style heated pool, a private dock and a dedicated beach house.

Earhardt, believed to reside in an apartment on New York City’s Upper East Side, likely spent Christmas with Hannity in Florida, judging by her Instagram posts. Sharing glimpses of her festive celebrations, including a unique surfboard Christmas tree and a photo with Hannity and Santa, Earhardt wrote, “merry Christmas. Happy Birthday, Jesus. 2024 has been a very special year.”

It remains uncertain whether Hannity moved into his Manalapan estate immediately following the November closing or plans to undertake further renovations to personalize the property.

Regardless, the Fox News host has no immediate plans to return to New York, having emphatically declared his departure last year.

“I’ve been threatening now to do this for quite a while, but we are now beginning our first broadcast from my new home and that is in the free state of Florida,” Hannity said during a January episode of his iHeartRadio show. “I am out. I am done. I’m finished.”

Hannity attributed his move to Florida to his dissatisfaction with New York’s political climate. He said he felt more aligned with the political values of Florida’s leadership.

The outspoken conservative severed ties with New York in June, selling his Oyster Bay estate for $12.7 million. He had purchased the waterfront property for $8.5 million 16 years earlier.

Listed in early May for $13.75 million, the fully furnished residence quickly attracted multiple offers and went under contract within a week.