Courtney Hansen Bio: Overhaulin’ Star’s Career, Net Worth, Marriage, Divorce, Husband, Family Life
From the garage floor to the spotlight, Courtney Hansen has built a career as polished as the custom rides she’s helped bring to life. Her journey began far from the scripted world of reality TV, rooted in genuine automotive passion and practical, hands-on experience. She rose to prominence as the host of Overhaulin’, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in car culture and bridging the gap between hardcore gearheads and mainstream audiences. Beyond television, she has authored bestselling books on car care, contributed columns to top automotive magazines, partnered with major brands, and produced her own hit series, Ride of Your Life. Hansen’s career reflects her versatility—equally at ease under studio lights or in a garage surrounded by the scent of oil and fresh paint.
Away from the cameras, Hansen’s story continues with chapters that are just as eventful—family milestones, relationships past and present, and the life-changing arrival of her daughter. These parts of her journey help paint a fuller picture of who she is, showing the experiences that have shaped her life beyond the fast cars and television lights.
Table of Contents
Previous Marriage
Before her marriage to Jay Hartington, Courtney Hansen was married to pharmaceutical executive Ilya Sapritsky. The couple wed in March 2010, celebrating their first dance to Adele’s rendition of “Make You Feel My Love.” They marked their one-year anniversary in March 2011, with Hansen posting that she was “looking at photos & remembering that amazing experience” and calling it “a special year.” During their marriage, Hansen often shared personal glimpses into their life together, including a December 2010 post noting that she was in a Swiss emergency room after a skiing trip where several people, including Sapritsky, sustained broken bones. She also publicly supported him through a serious health challenge—open-heart surgery in November 2011. Hansen filed for divorce in early 2012, and the proceedings were finalized in 2014.
Marriage to Jay Hartington and Motherhood
Hansen married entrepreneur Jay Hartington on July 20, 2018, in the picturesque town of Taormina, Sicily. The ceremony took place outdoors under a lush floral arch of white, blush, and pink blooms with cascading greenery. Hansen wore an off-the-shoulder lace Marchesa gown with a form-fitting silhouette, semi-sheer lace sleeves, and a dramatic chapel-length veil. She later shared another wedding-day photo, noting that a swallow captured mid-flight symbolized the presence of her late Aunt Barbie, whom she honored with a tattoo on her left wrist.
The multi-day celebration included a welcome dinner, a countryside rehearsal, and a beachside brunch. Their daughter, Holland Marysia Walker Hartington—born on July 5, 2014—served as the flower girl in a fluffy tulle dress. Years before their wedding, Holland’s arrival had already been a profoundly emotional milestone for the couple. In a heartfelt Facebook announcement just days after her birth, Hansen described her as “healthy, precious, the biggest blessing to happen to my life” and said that “words can’t express the love I feel for her. I’m so happy to be a mom!” She also noted that Holland had arrived a couple of weeks early, adding to the surprise and joy of her birth.
This joy carried forward into their life as a family, strengthening the connection they had built together. That bond was on full display on June 19, 2016—Father’s Day—when Hansen posted a heartfelt tribute to Hartington, thanking him for being “the most amazing dad to our precious daughter.” She described Holland as “so blessed” to have him and expressed her gratitude for “all you bring to our lives.” Accompanied by photos of Hartington holding, playing with, and strolling with their young daughter, the post offered an intimate glimpse into his devotion as a father and the warmth of their family life, underscoring the affection and respect that have been cornerstones of their marriage.
From Racing Heritage to TV Fame
Courtney Hansen, born on October 2, 1974, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, grew up in Virginia Beach and Nags Head, with the ocean on one side and the racetrack on the other. Her father, a racer who achieved 27 SCCA National Championships, immersed the family in cars, boats, motorcycles, mopeds, and ATVs. They traveled across the country in a motorhome from race to race, and their Brainerd International Raceway hosted major NHRA events. Some of her earliest memories are of watching legendary racers like Shirley Muldowney and riding on motorcycles with her father at their Minnesota cabin. Reflecting on their bond, Hansen has shared that she is grateful to her dad for believing in her, supporting her, and passing on his love for everything automotive from the time she was a baby—a connection she describes as one of the most important foundations of her life.
Her national television debut came with Overhaulin’, where she worked alongside Chip Foose on hands-on restoration projects. She handled tasks from bodywork to interiors while learning from top industry talent. Hansen later hosted Powerblock and authored a book, before shifting her focus around 2015 toward producing her own shows. This led to The Ride That Got Away, which she created and funded. Premiering in January 2019, the series restores long-lost dream cars for veterans, community contributors, and others who had to part with their prized vehicles. Production later moved to Atlanta for its second season, with Will Posey joining as lead designer. Sponsors included Hagerty, Castrol, Continental Tire, Optima, Kicker, and Magnaflow. Season one is available on Amazon Prime.
Hansen’s personal garage features a 1957 Ford Thunderbird kept in original condition, a 1970 Mach 1 Mustang once owned by DJ Funkmaster Flex, an Aston Martin DB9, a supercharged Range Rover Sport, and a classic Jaguar. She has also expressed interest in acquiring a 1968 Dodge Charger, a 1969 Plymouth GTX, or a 1967 Pontiac GTO convertible.
She has consistently highlighted the contributions of women in the automotive industry, citing role models such as Shirley Muldowney and Linda Vaughn. With a career spanning on-camera hosting, production, and hands-on restoration, Hansen integrates experience, technical expertise, and industry advocacy into all facets of her work.
Net Worth
While exact figures vary and publicly available information can be inconsistent, industry comparisons suggest that Courtney Hansen’s net worth is likely in the range of $4 million to $6 million. This estimate factors in her long-running television career, book sales, event hosting, brand partnerships, and production work, as well as her investments in classic and high-end vehicles. Her ability to diversify her professional ventures—from on-camera roles to producing her own series—has contributed to her sustained earning power.
Charity Work and Philanthropy
Courtney Hansen has been actively involved in a variety of charitable causes, using her public platform to support fundraising events, international outreach, and community initiatives. She has appeared at high-profile fundraisers such as the Billabong charity event at Paramount Studios, a Coldplay charity concert at UCLA, and will.i.am’s benefit where Stevie Wonder performed. Within the automotive community, Hansen has participated in charity auctions, including a PowerBlockTV segment unveiling Chip Foose–designed trucks that were sold at SEMA to raise funds.
Her commitment extends beyond the U.S.—Hansen has volunteered in South Africa with the Lalela Project, an organization providing arts education to at-risk youth, sharing her experiences from Cape Town schools during her solo trips in 2012 and 2013. She has also promoted grassroots giving, encouraging her followers to donate shoes to charity through Earth911.
Courtney Hansen – Biography Facts
| Full Name | Courtney Hansen |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 2, 1974 |
| Place of Birth | Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA |
| Grew Up In | Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Nags Head, North Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Television Host, Author, Automotive Personality, Producer |
| Known For | Overhaulin’, Powerblock, The Ride That Got Away |
| Father | Jerry Hansen – SCCA racing champion with 27 national titles |
| Marriages | Ilya Sapritsky (m. 2010; div. 2014), Jay Hartington (m. 2018 – present) |
| Children | 1 daughter – Holland Marysia Walker Hartington (b. July 5, 2014) |
| Books | The Garage Girl’s Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Your Car |
| Notable Vehicles Owned | 1957 Ford Thunderbird, 1970 Mach 1 Mustang, Aston Martin DB9, Supercharged Range Rover Sport, Classic Jaguar |
| Production Work | Creator and executive producer of The Ride That Got Away |
| Advocacy | Promotes women in the automotive industry |
| Active Years in TV | Early 2000s – present |
| Estimated Net Worth | $4 million – $6 million |
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