David Sanov is best known as the husband of actress Alison Sweeney. But his own life is also interesting. He spent many years working in law enforcement, stayed away from Hollywood fame, and built a quiet family life with Alison.
He worked for the California Highway Patrol for 27 years before retiring in 2022. He is also a pilot, enjoys outdoor hobbies, and has used his flying skills to help people and rescue animals.
David and Alison have known each other since childhood. Their parents worked together as violin players for movie soundtracks, which is how the two families first became close.
Today, David is known as a retired officer, husband, father, pilot, and family man. This article looks at his early life, education, police career, retirement, love story with Alison, marriage, and more.
Who Is David Sanov?
David Sanov, also known as Dave Sanov, is an American former law enforcement officer. He became known to many people because of his marriage to Alison Sweeney, who is famous for Days of Our Lives and many Hallmark movies.
Unlike Alison, David never built a full career in entertainment. Most of his working life was spent with the California Highway Patrol, where he served for almost three decades.
He has appeared with Alison at public events and has even made a small TV appearance, but he has always kept a low profile. He does not seem interested in living like a celebrity.
That quiet style is one reason people are curious about him. David Sanov has a public connection to Hollywood, but his own life has mostly been built around police work, family, flying, and simple hobbies.
David Sanov’s Age and Early Life
David Sanov was reportedly born on October 4, 1972, in California, United States. If that date is correct, he is 53 years old in 2026.
His zodiac sign is Libra. Some reports also list Los Angeles, California, as his place of birth and the area where he later lived with his family.
David was active in sports when he was young. Reports say he played soccer and also took part in basketball during his school years.
There is not a large amount of public information about his childhood or family background. Most details about his early years have stayed private, which fits the way he has lived as an adult.
David Sanov’s Education
One report says David attended Oakland High School before moving on to college. However, this school detail is not repeated in the stronger sources, so it should be treated with some care.
He later reportedly attended the University of California, Irvine. The same source says he completed his studies there in 1994.
His exact field of study has not been clearly reported. What is better known is that he entered law enforcement after college and soon began building a long career in public service.
That path was very different from Alison’s. While she was working in television, David was starting a career focused on road safety, police work, and emergency response.
David Sanov’s Police Career
David Sanov spent 27 years working with the California Highway Patrol. This is one of the most important parts of his life and career.
His work included highway safety, traffic enforcement, and responding to accidents and other emergencies. It was a serious job that required years of service away from the entertainment world.
Even though Alison became a well-known actress, David kept working in law enforcement. He did not leave his career to chase fame or build a public image.
Alison has spoken proudly about his service. She has shared messages thanking David and other law enforcement workers for the work they do.
His police background has also helped Alison with some of her acting roles. When she works on mystery stories, she sometimes asks David how a real officer would act or what police words would sound more natural.
David Sanov’s Retirement
David retired from the California Highway Patrol in 2022 after 27 years of service.
His retirement was a big moment for the family. Alison shared how proud she was of his long career and thanked him for the years he gave to the job.
She also said she wanted to plan a large retirement party. Friends, coworkers, and people from different parts of David’s life were expected to be part of the celebration.
Retirement gave David more time for family, travel, flying, golf, and other hobbies. Even after leaving the job, he and Alison stayed connected to the law enforcement community.
They have supported the CHP 11-99 Foundation, which helps California Highway Patrol workers and their families during hard times and also offers scholarships to their children.
David Sanov and Alison Sweeney’s Love Story
David and Alison did not meet as adults. They had known each other since childhood because their parents worked together.
Alison’s mother and David’s father both played violin for movie soundtracks. Their work brought the two families together, and David and Alison grew up knowing each other.
Alison later said she had a crush on David when they were young. Still, their lives moved in different directions for a while.
She became busy with Days of Our Lives, while David went to college and later started his police career. The two did not see each other for several years.
They eventually met again at a party held by their parents for another musician. Alison invited David to her 21st birthday party, and that gave them a chance to reconnect.
They quickly enjoyed spending time together again. Their old friendship slowly became something more, and they started dating in the late 1990s.
David Sanov and Alison Sweeney’s Marriage
David Sanov and Alison Sweeney married on July 8, 2000. Their wedding was held in a beachside setting and included one very special family moment.
Alison’s mother and David’s father played a violin duet during the ceremony. That had deep meaning because their work as violin players was the reason David and Alison knew each other in the first place.
The couple has now been married for 26 years as of 2026. Over the years, Alison has often shared sweet anniversary messages and photos of them together.
One thing they do is talk about their marriage around each anniversary. They look at what is going well and what they could still improve as a couple.
They also enjoy simple things together. Travel, concerts, family time, and watching TV are all part of their life. Alison has even joked about arguments over shows they were supposed to watch together.
Their long marriage has stayed strong while both handled very different careers. David worked in law enforcement, while Alison spent years acting, hosting, and producing.
David Sanov’s Children and Family Life
David Sanov and Alison Sweeney have two children. Their son, Benjamin Edward Sanov, was born on February 25, 2005. He is usually called Ben by his family.
Their daughter, Megan Hope Sanov, was born in January 2009. PEOPLE gives her birthday as January 13, 2009, which is the stronger date among the sources we reviewed.
David seems to share a close bond with both children. Ben has spent time around Alison’s Hallmark movie sets and has shown interest in how film work happens behind the scenes.
David and Alison also try to work as a team when raising their children. Alison has said they support each other’s rules and try to stay united as parents.
The family also enjoys having fun together. They have taken random dance breaks, made funny family videos, spent holidays together, and enjoyed simple activities at home.
David Sanov as a Pilot
One of the most interesting things about David Sanov is that he can fly planes. Aviation has been an important hobby for him for years.
He has also used this skill to help other people. In 2018, David reportedly flew his first mission with Angel Flight West.
The group provides free flights for people who need medical care. On that mission, David helped transport a cancer patient to a California hospital for treatment.
His son Ben also shares his love of aviation. Alison has said that father and son have always enjoyed planes and anything that flies.
David has even taken Ben along on some flying trips. This shared hobby has become another way for them to spend time together.
David Sanov’s Animal Rescue Work
David has also used his flying skills to help animals. He has worked with Pilots N Paws, a group that helps move rescue animals by plane.
In 2015, David and Alison flew to Chicago to help rescue a dog named Horton. They then brought the dog to Los Angeles, where a new family was waiting.
The couple has also cared for several rescue dogs of their own. Some of the family pets mentioned over the years include Winky, Basil, Ozzy, and Bean.
In 2023, David and Alison also helped an older lost dog in Los Angeles. They cleaned him, gave him food, and later helped reunite him with his owner.
David Sanov on Days of Our Lives
David Sanov made a small guest appearance on Days of Our Lives in 2005. It was a fun moment because the role was very close to his real job.
He played a police officer in the episode. His character pulled over Lucas Horton while Lucas was on his way to marry Sami Brady.
Alison was pregnant with Ben at the time. Years later, she shared a behind-the-scenes photo from the episode and joked about the old memory.
David never tried to become an actor after that appearance. It remained a small and unusual part of his story rather than the start of a new career.
David Sanov’s Hobbies and Private Life
David enjoys several hobbies outside work. Fishing is one of them, and reports say he also introduced Ben to the activity.
He has also had an interest in motorcycles. One older report says he owned a Honda Magna 750 around 2010.
Other interests include flying, golf, travel, concerts, and spending time with family. After retirement, these activities likely became an even bigger part of his daily life.
David also keeps a very low profile online. Most public photos of him appear through Alison’s social media, charity events, or red-carpet appearances.
He has continued to support causes linked to law enforcement, including the CHP 11-99 Foundation, which helps California Highway Patrol workers and their families.
David Sanov’s Net Worth
David Sanov’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. One older article estimated it at about $500,000, but that number is not backed by public financial records.
What is known is that David worked for the California Highway Patrol for 27 years. His long career likely provided a steady income and retirement benefits.
Still, there is no clear public record of his salary, pension, property, savings, or other assets. Because of this, exact net worth figures should be treated carefully.
It is also important not to mix Alison Sweeney’s wealth with David’s. They are married, but that does not mean her career earnings can be used to calculate his personal net worth.
Interesting Facts About David Sanov
- David Sanov worked with the California Highway Patrol for 27 years before retiring in 2022.
- He has known his wife, Alison Sweeney, since childhood because their parents worked together as violin players for movie soundtracks.
- Alison has said that she had a crush on David when they were young.
- David and Alison married on July 8, 2000, and celebrated 26 years of marriage in 2026.
- The couple has two children, Benjamin Edward Sanov and Megan Hope Sanov.
- David is a pilot and has used his flying skills to help people who need medical care.
- He has also flown animal rescue missions with Pilots N Paws.
- In 2015, David and Alison helped transport a rescue dog named Horton from Chicago to Los Angeles.
- David made a small guest appearance on Days of Our Lives in 2005, playing a police officer.
Bottom Line
David Sanov is much more than Alison Sweeney’s husband. He spent 27 years serving with the California Highway Patrol before retiring in 2022.
He is also a pilot who has helped people and animals through charity flights. His love of aviation, family, fishing, rescue work, and simple hobbies gives a fuller picture of his life.
After more than two decades of marriage, David and Alison continue to share a strong family life with their two children. He has stayed private, supported his wife, and built a respected life outside Hollywood.
(FAQs)
How old is David Sanov?
He was reportedly born on October 4, 1972. That makes him 53 years old in 2026.
What does David Sanov do now?
David retired from the California Highway Patrol in 2022 after 27 years of service. He now has more time for family, flying, travel, golf, and other interests.
Is David Sanov a pilot?
Yes. David is a pilot and has used his flying skills for charity work, medical transport, and animal rescue trips.
How long have David Sanov and Alison Sweeney been married?
They married on July 8, 2000. As of 2026, they have been married for 26 years.
How many children does David Sanov have?
David and Alison have two children, Benjamin Edward Sanov and Megan Hope Sanov.
What is David Sanov’s net worth?
His exact net worth is not publicly known. Some websites estimate around $500,000, but there is no strong proof for that figure.
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