From Child Commercials to Soap Opera Legend
Alison Ann Sweeney was born on September 19, 1976, in Los Angeles to an Irish-American family. By age five she was already filming Kodak commercials, and guest spots on shows like Tales from the Darkside followed quickly. At just 16, she landed the role that would define her career: the fiery Sami Brady on Days of Our Lives. Over the next two decades she appeared in more than 3,600 episodes, turning Sami from teenage troublemaker into one of daytime TV’s most beloved anti-heroines.
What many fans don’t realize is how grounded Alison stayed through the soap chaos. She finished high school, started college at UCLA, and credits family dinners and strict curfews for keeping her out of the typical child-star spiral.
The Biggest Loser Era & Life-Changing Salary
In 2007 Alison stepped away from daily soaps to host The Biggest Loser. The gig paid her a reported $45,000 per episode and ran for 12 seasons. More importantly, it gave her a platform to talk openly about body image—something she had struggled with herself in the 1990s when Hollywood pressured her to shrink from a healthy size 12.
“I hosted because I understood the contestants,” she said in 2025. “I’d been told I was ‘too big’ for camera at 23. I wanted people to see real change, not just numbers on a scale.”
Hallmark Takeover & 2025 Movie Lineup
Since 2015 Alison has become Hallmark’s undisputed mystery queen with the Murder, She Baked / Hannah Swensen franchise. In 2025 alone she starred in A Sprinkle of Deceit, Pie to Die For, and the romantic Barcelona duo To Barcelona, With Love and To Barcelona, Forever—the latter two filmed on location in Spain with best friend Ashley Williams.
She now executive produces, directs, and even co-writes many of the projects, giving her far more creative control (and bigger paychecks) than her soap days ever did.
Alison Sweeney’s Net Worth & Smart Money Moves in 2025
Her current net worth sits at $9 million. Residuals from over 3,000 soap episodes still roll in, Hallmark movies pay six figures each, and her four novels have sold more than half a million copies combined. A savvy real-estate play—a Hollywood Hills house bought in 2010—has doubled in value and rents for $30,000 a month when she’s filming elsewhere.
Married Life with David Sanov: 25 Years and Counting
Alison has been married to California Highway Patrol officer David Sanov since July 8, 2000. They dated for three quiet years before tying the knot—no tabloid drama, no co-stars, just a normal guy who happened to look great in uniform. The couple has two children: son Benjamin (born 2005, now 20) and daughter Megan (born 2009, now 16).
In 2023 the family traded Los Angeles traffic for wide-open Arizona skies, giving the kids horses and space while Alison flies in for shoots. “Dave is my plot twist,” she laughs. “Everyone expected Sami to marry another schemer. I married the cop who pulls her over.”
Height, Weight & Real Talk About Aging at 48
Alison stands 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) and maintains a healthy 135 pounds. Her fitness routine? Horseback riding with the kids, long hikes, and—yes—baking the desserts her character Hannah Swensen is famous for. “At 48 it’s not about being skinny,” she told Good Housekeeping in 2025. “It’s about feeling strong enough to keep up with teenagers and horses.”
Quick-Fire Biography Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alison Ann Sweeney |
| Age in 2025 | 48 years old |
| Date of Birth | September 19, 1976 |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | 135 lbs (61 kg) |
| Net Worth 2025 | $9 million |
| Salary Highlight | $45,000 per episode (The Biggest Loser) |
| Married Since | July 8, 2000 |
| Husband | David Sanov (California Highway Patrol) |
| Children | Benjamin (b. 2005) & Megan (b. 2009) |
| Current Residence | Arizona |
| Signature Role | Sami Brady – Days of Our Lives (1993–2015, returns) |
| Hallmark Franchise | Hannah Swensen Mysteries (10+ movies) |
| Books Published | 4 novels |
| Social Media | @Ali_Sweeney on X |
| More Info | Alison Sweeney on Wikipedia |
From teenage soap villain to Hallmark’s mystery sweetheart and devoted mom of two, Alison Sweeney proves that longevity in Hollywood is possible when you stay authentic, work smart, and marry the right cop. At 48 she’s busier—and happier—than ever.
