Sharon Mobley Stow is an American registered nurse best known publicly as the former wife of prominent journalist Jim Acosta, who served as CNN’s chief White House correspondent until 2025. While Acosta built a high-profile career in broadcast journalism, Stow maintained a deliberately low-key existence focused on her healthcare profession, raising their children, and preserving family privacy. Described as grounded, compassionate, and resilient, she has consistently avoided media attention and social media, even after her high-profile divorce. Her story highlights the balance many spouses of public figures seek: a stable, independent career and family life away from the spotlight.
Background and Early Life
Sharon Mobley Stow was born on December 26, 1970, in Severna Park, Maryland, USA. She was raised in a modest household with strong family and Christian values. Her parents are Kent W. Stow (father) and Joy Johnson (mother). She has one sister, Michelle Marie Stow Vance, and one brother, Steven. Details of her early childhood remain private, but sources describe a typical upbringing in Maryland centered on education and family.
Education and Career
Stow attended local schools in Maryland before enrolling at James Madison University (JMU) in Virginia, where she studied nursing. She graduated in 1993 alongside her then-future husband, Jim Acosta. She earned her professional nursing license on September 14, 2015, and built a career as a registered nurse working in reputable hospitals in Maryland. Some accounts also describe her involvement in healthcare education. Her annual earnings as a nurse have been estimated in the range of $68,000-$95,000, depending on experience and role. Stow has maintained her professional focus on patient care throughout her life, achieving financial independence through her career.
Meeting Jim Acosta and Relationship
Stow met Abilio James “Jim” Acosta while both were students at James Madison University in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Acosta studied mass communication with a minor in political science; she pursued nursing. They dated for several years before marrying. Their early relationship was built on shared values and mutual support, far from the media glare that would later surround Acosta’s career.
Marriage
Stow and Acosta married in 1994 in a private summer ceremony at the Wye of Carmichel United Methodist Church in Queenstown, Maryland. The wedding was intimate, attended by close family and friends. They honeymooned in the Greek Islands. The couple purchased a home in Maryland years before their children were born and raised their family there while Acosta’s journalism career advanced. Their marriage lasted approximately 23 years and was characterized by privacy and stability.
(Note: While some sources, including Wikipedia, list the marriage year as 1999, the majority of contemporaneous reports and detailed biographies confirm 1994, aligning with the couple’s reported 23–24-year marriage duration ending in 2017.)
Children and Family Life
Stow and Acosta have three children together, all raised primarily in Maryland with an emphasis on privacy. The named children are daughter Hartley Acosta and son Peter Acosta; the name of their third child (another daughter) has not been publicly disclosed. The family maintained a low profile, with Stow prioritizing hands-on parenting and supporting Acosta’s demanding career. Property records indicate they owned homes in Maryland and a vacation property in Georgia.
Divorce
The couple quietly separated in early 2017 after more than two decades together. Their divorce was finalized in July 2017 at Charles County District Court in Maryland. The split was handled with discretion and without public acrimony or allegations of infidelity. Stow received a lump-sum settlement as part of the proceedings. Both parents have continued to co-parent their children amicably, focusing on the family’s well-being.
Current Life and Privacy
Since the divorce, Stow has continued working as a registered nurse in Maryland and leads a quiet, independent life. She has no known public social media presence and has given no interviews. She remains focused on her career, her children, and personal privacy. Estimates of her net worth vary between approximately $500,000 and $2 million, derived from her nursing income, professional experience, and divorce settlement. She has avoided capitalizing on her connection to Acosta and continues to shield her family from media scrutiny.
Sharon Mobley Stow remains a private individual whose life is defined by her dedication to healthcare and family rather than public recognition. Her approach underscores resilience and a commitment to normalcy amid the demands of a high-profile ex-spouse’s career.
FAQs on Sharon Mobley
Who is Sharon Mobley Stow?
Sharon Mobley Stow is a registered nurse and the former wife of CNN journalist Jim Acosta. She is known for maintaining a private life focused on her career in healthcare and raising their children.
When and where was Sharon Mobley Stow born?
She was born on December 26, 1970, in Severna Park, Maryland, USA.
What does Sharon Mobley Stow do for a living?
She is a licensed registered nurse who has worked in Maryland hospitals. Some reports also note involvement in nursing education.
How did Sharon Mobley Stow meet Jim Acosta?
They met as students at James Madison University in Virginia, where she studied nursing and he studied mass communication. They dated for several years before marrying.
When did Sharon Mobley Stow and Jim Acosta marry?
They married in 1994 in a private ceremony in Queenstown, Maryland.
How many children do they have, and what are their names?
They have three children: daughter Hartley Acosta, son Peter Acosta, and one additional daughter whose name has not been publicly disclosed.
When and why did Sharon Mobley Stow and Jim Acosta divorce?
The divorce was finalized in July 2017 after a quiet separation. It was handled privately with no public drama; both have focused on co-parenting.
Does Sharon Mobley Stow have social media?
No. She maintains no public social media accounts and avoids the spotlight.
Where does Sharon Mobley Stow live now?
She continues to reside privately in Maryland, focusing on her nursing career and family.
