Courtney Covington is the second child and only daughter of Daniel and Keri Covington, born into the nouveau riche Covington family. Raised on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Courtney grew up especially close to her father, sharing his ambition and business-minded nature, while also maintaining strong bonds with her brothers, Max and Tommy. Her world was shaken when her mother was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer, a loss that deeply shaped Courtney’s drive and emotional resilience.

A graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Courtney moved with her father to his hometown of Radcliffe, Kentucky, where the Covington Group is headquartered. Though Daniel long expected his eldest son to take over the company, Courtney proved she had inherited her father’s business acumen. Under false pretenses, she signed up for riding lessons at the stables where she met Esther Saunders and Steven Sullivan, aware of the long-standing rivalry between their families. Despite their age difference and family conflicts, she fell for Steven, though their relationship was repeatedly tested by parental interference—including Steven’s ex-wife. After a temporary estrangement, Courtney and her father eventually reconciled.

Initially skeptical of her brother Max’s relationship with Shauna Jackson due to Shauna’s past with Antoine Hall, Courtney later accepted their love after Shauna reassured her of her commitment, even serving as a bridesmaid at their wedding. Though initially hurt when Steven claimed he didn’t want to remarry, he later proposed to her in Oahu after Sean and Tricia’s wedding, and the two married on Christmas Eve, surrounded by family and friends. Their marriage, however, soon faced strain when Daniel’s manipulation of Jordan led to his removal as CEO. Courtney’s decision to abstain from the board vote fractured her relationship with her father, though the board ultimately named her CEO of the Covington Group.

As CEO, Courtney found herself navigating both corporate and personal turmoil. She grew close to her Aunt Emma’s husband, Jacques Laurent, forming a bond that Steven deeply distrusted, leading to frequent arguments. Complicating matters further was the arrival of Steven’s rebellious teenage son, Evan, and Courtney’s controversial decision to offer Jacques an executive role at the company—something Daniel, Tommy, and Deirdre strongly opposed. In retaliation, Daniel and Tommy secretly set Jacques up to invest company funds in a worthless Miami property, while Daniel simultaneously plotted to reclaim Courtney’s CEO position. A trip to Miami with Jacques and Aaliyah revealed the disastrous investment, and in the emotional fallout, Courtney and Jacques shared a kiss—one she immediately fled from, unwilling to further endanger her marriage.