Who was Billy Bush’s ex Sydney Davis? All about former Today show host’s personal life

Billy Bush has been a familiar name in American television, thanks to his long career as a host on shows like Access Hollywood and Today. But behind the scenes, much of his personal stability came from his marriage to Sydney Davis, his now ex-wife of nearly two decades. Though Davis has kept a low public profile over the years, she stood by Bush through the highs of his career—and the lows of his very public fall from grace.

So, who is Sydney Davis? A private individual by nature, Davis largely stayed out of the media spotlight until her name was thrust into headlines following the 2016 Access Hollywood scandal. She and Bush married in April 1998 and share three daughters—Lillie, Mary, and Josephine. But in September 2017, just under a year after the controversy broke, Davis and Bush announced they had separated to “evaluate their life together,” as per a statement from Bush’s lawyer to Page Six.

Despite the separation, there was no reported infidelity or drama behind the split. In fact, both parties made it clear they remained committed to their children and shared future.

“They love each other and their children deeply and are committed to a bright future,” a representative for Billy Bush told The Hollywood Reporter at the time.

Sydney Davis: A supportive partner, even in crisis

During one of the most scrutinized periods of Bush’s life, Davis reportedly remained by his side. In a May 2017 cover interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bush praised her support:

“She knows very well the person she married. She has been very supportive from the very beginning.”

This came just months before their separation was announced.

That support extended into difficult conversations at home, particularly with their daughters. Billy Bush recalled in the same THR interview how his daughter Mary called him in tears after hearing the leaked tape.

“Why were you laughing at the things that he was saying on that bus, Dad?” she asked. Bush said he had no good answer but apologized, telling her, “That was Dad in a bad moment a long time ago. I love you.”

Billy Bush's journey of reflection, accountability, and personal growth

In the wake of his separation from Sydney Davis, Billy Bush stepped away from the limelight to focus on rebuilding—not just his career, but himself. He immersed himself in self-improvement efforts, attending wellness retreats like the Hoffman Institute, working with life coach Tony Robbins, and embracing meditation, boxing, and a healthier lifestyle. On social media, he shared glimpses of his journey, including book recommendations like The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck and The Power of Now.

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By late 2017, Billy Bush was ready to speak out—this time, not to defend himself, but to set the record straight. In a bold New York Times op-ed, he directly challenged President Trump’s denial of the Access Hollywood recording. “Of course he said it,” Bush wrote, referring to Trump’s infamous comment, while acknowledging his own part in the controversy.

He followed the op-ed with an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, aiming to show the public—and his daughters—that he was owning his mistakes and committed to doing better.

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