Earhardt and McKinney were college sweethearts who found each other at the University of South Carolina.
McKinney, who wasa year ahead, got a BS in Applied Professional Sciences.
Soon, distance got in the way.
That same year, they made it official, and Earhardt became Mrs. Kevin McKinney.
The ceremony took place at Columbia’s First Presbyterian Church, complete with 11 bridesmaids and 11 groomsmen.
The reception was held at the Governor’s Mansion, and they honeymooned in Turks and Caicos.
It was such a big deal that The Columbia Star even covered it.
Needless to say, she jumped at the chance, and McKinney followed.
He eventually landed a new job at a medical equipment manufacturing company.
But the move turned out to be the beginning of the end of their marriage.
Some sources claim McKinney was unfaithful, but there’s no actual proof to back this up.
Some take this as a sign she wasn’t prioritizing her marriage.
But was that really the reason Earhardt and McKinney split?
The truth is, no one but the ex-couple knows.
It could have been his alleged infidelity, her career focus, or even both.
What we do know for sure is that neither has given any public explanation.
He worked in Columbia and later Charleston but has stayed far from the limelight.
If you’re wondering whether Ainsley Earhardt and McKinney split over political differences, that seems unlikely.
They had a daughter, Hayden Proctor, whom Earhardt lovingly calls her gift.
