Who Is Jim Acosta's Ex-Wife? Inside His Painful 23-Year Marriage and Divorce

Introduction

When people search for “who is Jim Acosta’s ex-wife?”, they are usually looking for information about the woman who stood beside the CNN journalist for more than two decades before their sudden split. That woman is Sharon Mobley Stow.

Jim Acosta became a household name through his heated exchanges with former President Donald Trump. But behind the headlines and White House clashes, there was a quieter story — his 23-year marriage to a registered nurse from Maryland.

This biography covers everything publicly known about Sharon Mobley Stow: her early life, education, career, family, and the marriage that ended in 2017. The goal is to present accurate, publicly available information without speculation or rumors.

Quick Biography / Facts

Here is a quick snapshot of Sharon Mobley Stow:

Full Name: Sharon Mobley Stow (also known as Sharon Mobley Acosta during her marriage)
Date of Birth: December 26, 1970
Place of Birth: Severna Park, Maryland, USA
Nationality: American
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Education: James Madison University (Nursing Degree)
Marriage: Married Jim Acosta in 1994; divorced in 2017
Children: Three (two daughters and one son)
Height: 5 feet 5 inches (approx.)

Early Life

Sharon Mobley was born on December 26, 1970, in Severna Park, Maryland . She grew up in a family that valued faith and education.

Her parents, Joy Johnson and Kent W. Stow, raised her alongside her sister, Michelle Marie Stow Vance, and her brother, Steven . The household emphasized Christian values and encouraged the children to pursue meaningful careers.

Maryland would remain central to Sharon’s life. She built her education, career, and family in the same state where she was born.

Family

Sharon’s family background is rooted in Maryland. Her parents provided a stable home, and she remained close to her siblings into adulthood .

After marrying Jim Acosta, Sharon became a mother to three children: two daughters and one son . The couple’s first two children, Hartley and Peter, were born during their marriage .

Unlike her ex-husband, who lives a very public life, Sharon has kept her family life private. She does not maintain public social media accounts and rarely appears in media coverage .

Education

Sharon attended a medical-focused high school in Maryland, which set her on the path toward healthcare .

She then enrolled at James Madison University (JMU) in Virginia, where she pursued a nursing degree . JMU would prove to be a pivotal place in her life — not just academically, but personally. It was there that she met Jim Acosta, who was studying mass communications at the same university .

The two dated throughout their college years and graduated together in 1993 .

Career

Sharon Mobley Stow built a career as a registered nurse in Maryland .

She received her medical license on September 14, 2015, according to public records cited in media reports . She worked for several reputable hospitals in the Maryland area and earned a strong professional reputation .

Her nursing career provided financial independence. Reports indicate she earned approximately $68,500 per year from her work as a nurse . While this is modest compared to her ex-husband’s media salary, it reflects a stable and respected profession.

Importantly, Sharon’s career remained separate from Jim’s high-profile journalism work. She was never a public figure in her own right — only becoming a subject of media interest because of her marriage and subsequent divorce from a prominent CNN anchor.

Personal Life: Marriage to Jim Acosta and Divorce

Who Is Jim Acosta's Ex-Wife? — Who Is Jim Acosta’s Ex-Wife?

Sharon Mobley Stow and Jim Acosta were college sweethearts at James Madison University . Their relationship deepened over years of dating.

They married in 1994 at the Wye of Carmichel United Methodist Church in Queenstown, Maryland . It was a private summer wedding. The couple honeymooned in the Greek Islands .

For more than two decades, they appeared to have a stable marriage. They bought a three-bedroom home in Maryland for $660,000 and raised their three children there . Friends and colleagues never publicly reported any marital troubles or scandals .

That changed in July 2017, when Jim Acosta filed for divorce at Charles County District Court in Maryland . The divorce ended a 23-year marriage .

The split came during a particularly intense period in Acosta’s career — he was CNN’s chief White House correspondent and frequently clashing with President Trump. The timing raised eyebrows, but no public explanation was ever given for the divorce .

After the separation, Acosta was reportedly seen with other women, though he never publicly discussed his dating life . In June 2026, he married Liz Landers, a PBS NewsHour White House correspondent, in Arlington, Virginia .

Sharon, meanwhile, has remained single and focused on her nursing career and raising her children . She does not have public social media accounts and maintains a low profile .

Achievements

Sharon Mobley Stow is not a public figure, so her “achievements” are personal and professional rather than celebrity-driven.

Built a stable nursing career in Maryland spanning years
Raised three children while maintaining a demanding profession
Maintained privacy in an era where her ex-husband’s every move was scrutinized
Successfully navigated a high-profile divorce without public scandal or media spectacle

For a private citizen thrust into the spotlight only because of her marriage, her ability to stay out of the tabloids is notable.

Net Worth

Estimates of Sharon Mobley Stow’s net worth are difficult to verify independently. Media reports from 2019 suggested her net worth was over $2 million, factoring in her nursing income and a divorce settlement from Jim Acosta .

For context, Jim Acosta’s net worth has been estimated at around $4 million .

These figures should be treated as approximate and unofficial. Sharon has never publicly disclosed her finances.

Interesting Facts

She was Jim Acosta’s college sweetheart. They met at James Madison University and dated for years before marrying .
Her wedding was private and low-key. Unlike many media weddings, hers was a quiet summer ceremony in Maryland .
She has no social media presence. While Jim Acosta has thousands of followers, Sharon has avoided public platforms entirely .
She was married to Acosta for 23 years. That’s nearly a quarter-century — longer than many celebrity marriages last .
She kept her own career. Even as her husband’s fame grew, Sharon continued working as a nurse .

FAQs

Who is Jim Acosta’s ex-wife?

Jim Acosta’s ex-wife is Sharon Mobley Stow, a registered nurse from Maryland. They were married from 1994 to 2017 .

When did Jim Acosta and Sharon Mobley Stow divorce?

They divorced in July 2017, after 23 years of marriage .

How many children do Jim Acosta and Sharon have?

They have three children: two daughters and one son .

What does Sharon Mobley Stow do now?

She reportedly continues to work as a registered nurse and lives a private life, focused on her children and career .

No. Unlike Jim Acosta, she does not maintain public social media accounts and rarely appears in media coverage .

Conclusion

The answer to “who is Jim Acosta’s ex-wife?” is Sharon Mobley Stow — a registered nurse, mother of three, and the woman who shared more than two decades of her life with one of America’s most recognizable journalists.

While Jim Acosta’s career placed him at the center of political media battles, Sharon chose a different path. She built a quiet career in healthcare, raised a family, and after the divorce, stepped further away from the public eye.

Her story is not one of fame or controversy. It is a story of privacy, professionalism, and resilience — qualities that are often overlooked when someone is only known through their connection to a famous ex-spouse.