Who Is Jim Acosta’s Ex-Wife? The Amazing Story of Sharon Mobley Stow

Introduction

Jim Acosta became a familiar face to millions as CNN’s chief White House correspondent, known for his sharp questions and frequent clashes with political figures. But behind the cameras, a different chapter of his life unfolded—one that ended in divorce after nearly two decades of marriage. So, who is Jim Acosta’s ex-wife? Her name is Sharon Mobley Stow, a registered nurse who shared a long life with Acosta before their separation in 2017. This is her story, told through publicly available information.

Quick Biography / Facts

• Full Name: Sharon Mobley Stow
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Registered Nurse
• Education: James Madison University (attended)
• Marriage: Jim Acosta (m. 1999; div. 2017)
• Children: Two (one son and one daughter)
• Residence: Maryland area
• Known For: Being the ex-wife of CNN journalist Jim Acosta

Early Life

Public information about Sharon Mobley Stow’s early life is limited, as she has maintained a low profile throughout her association with her famous ex-husband. What is known is that she grew up in the United States and eventually pursued higher education in Virginia. Her path would cross with Jim Acosta’s at a pivotal time in both their lives, setting the stage for a relationship that would span nearly two decades.

Family

Sharon and Jim Acosta share two children together—a son and a daughter . The family lived in the Maryland area during their marriage, maintaining a relatively private life despite Acosta’s growing public profile as a national television journalist. After the divorce, Sharon reportedly continued to live in Maryland, working in her profession and raising the couple’s children .

Education

Sharon Mobley Stow attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This is where she met Jim Acosta, who was also a student at the university during the early 1990s . While specific details about her degree program are not widely documented, her career as a registered nurse suggests she pursued studies in nursing or a related health field.

Career

Sharon Mobley Stow built her career as a registered nurse in the Maryland area . Nursing is a demanding and respected profession that requires dedication, compassion, and specialized training. Throughout her marriage to Acosta—and after their divorce—she maintained her professional identity separate from her husband’s high-profile media career. Unlike many spouses of public figures, Sharon chose not to seek the spotlight herself, focusing instead on her work and family.

Achievements

While Sharon Mobley Stow’s professional achievements are not widely publicized, her most notable accomplishment may be the discretion and dignity with which she has handled her public association with Jim Acosta. In an era where the personal lives of journalists and their families often become tabloid fodder, Sharon has largely stayed out of the public eye. Her commitment to her nursing career, her role as a mother to two children, and her ability to maintain privacy while connected to a polarizing public figure are achievements in their own right.

Personal Life

Sharon Mobley Stow married Jim Acosta in 1999, when the future CNN star was still building his career in broadcast journalism . The couple met while attending James Madison University, where Acosta was involved with the student radio station WXJM .

For nearly 18 years, Sharon and Jim were married. During this time, Acosta’s career flourished, taking him from local news markets to eventually becoming a national correspondent for CBS News and then joining CNN in 2007. Sharon remained largely in the background during this period, supporting her husband’s career while focusing on her nursing work and raising their children.

The marriage came to an end in 2017, when the couple filed for divorce . The split occurred during a particularly intense period of Acosta’s career, as he had become the chief White House correspondent for CNN and was frequently involved in high-profile confrontations with the Trump administration . Reports at the time indicated that the divorce was finalized quietly, with both parties maintaining their privacy regarding the details of the separation.

After the divorce, Acosta has continued his high-profile media career, eventually leaving CNN in January 2025 to pursue independent journalism ventures . He later married PBS reporter Liz Landers in 2026 . Sharon Mobley Stow, meanwhile, has maintained her privacy and continued her nursing career in Maryland.

Net Worth

There is no publicly available information about Sharon Mobley Stow’s individual net worth. As a registered nurse, her income would reflect the typical earnings of a healthcare professional in the Maryland area. She is not a public figure in the commercial sense, and any financial estimates would be speculative. It is worth noting that divorce settlements involving high-profile journalists can be significant, but the terms of the Acosta divorce have not been publicly disclosed.

Interesting Facts

1. She met Jim Acosta in college. The couple first crossed paths at James Madison University, where Acosta was building the student radio station’s news department .
2. She married Acosta before his national fame. When they wed in 1999, Acosta was still years away from becoming a household name at CNN.
3. She has stayed remarkably private. Despite her ex-husband’s polarizing public profile, Sharon has never given interviews or sought media attention.
4. She is a mother of two. She and Acosta raised one son and one daughter together .
5. Her divorce coincided with a turbulent news period. The 2017 split came as Acosta was becoming one of the most recognizable—and controversial—journalists covering the White House .

FAQs

1. Who is Jim Acosta’s ex-wife?
Sharon Mobley Stow, a registered nurse, was married to Jim Acosta from 1999 to 2017 .

2. How long were Jim Acosta and Sharon Mobley Stow married?
They were married for approximately 18 years, from 1999 until their divorce in 2017 .

3. How many children do Jim Acosta and Sharon Mobley Stow have?
They have two children together—one son and one daughter .

4. Why did Jim Acosta and Sharon Mobley Stow divorce?
The specific reasons for their divorce have not been publicly disclosed. The split was filed in 2017, and both parties have maintained their privacy .

5. What does Sharon Mobley Stow do for a living?
She works as a registered nurse in the Maryland area .

Conclusion

So, who is Jim Acosta’s ex-wife? Sharon Mobley Stow is a registered nurse who shared nearly two decades of her life with one of America’s most recognizable journalists. Together they raised two children and built a life before parting ways in 2017. While Jim Acosta’s career has kept him in the public eye, Sharon has chosen a different path—one of privacy, professional dedication, and quiet dignity. Her story is a reminder that behind every public figure is a private life, often lived by people who never asked for the spotlight.