Dana Perino is married to Peter McMahon, a British healthcare executive born on June 6, 1954, who is 18 years older than her. The couple met on a commercial flight in August 1997, married in September 1998, and have built a relationship spanning over 25 years.
Biographical Background of Peter McMahon and Dana Perino
Peter McMahon was born on June 6, 1954, in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Raised in the United Kingdom, he completed his secondary education before enrolling at the University of Brighton. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing, which laid the foundation for a career in corporate business. McMahon focused his early work on pharmaceutical marketing, global medical equipment distribution, and health supply logistics. Over several decades, he advanced into senior executive roles managing corporate operations across Europe and North America.
Dana Marie Perino was born on May 9, 1972, in Evanston, Wyoming. She spent her early childhood in Wyoming before her family relocated to Colorado, where she grew up in Denver and Parker. She attended Ponderosa High School and later enrolled at Colorado State University Pueblo. Perino graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications along with academic minors in political science and Spanish. She continued her education at the University of Illinois Springfield, earning a Master of Arts in public affairs reporting.
Perino began her professional career in journalism and public communication. She worked as a daily news reporter for WCIA, a CBS affiliate covering the Illinois State Capitol, and held reporting roles at KTSC-TV and KCCY-FM. Moving to Washington, D.C., she served as a staff assistant for Representative Scott McInnis of Colorado. She subsequently served nearly four years as press secretary for Representative Dan Schaefer, who chaired the House Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Personal and Educational Background
| Attribute | Peter McMahon | Dana Perino |
| Date of Birth | June 6, 1954 | May 9, 1972 |
| Place of Birth | Blackpool, Lancashire, England | Evanston, Wyoming, United States |
| Undergraduate Education | University of Brighton (BS in Marketing) | Colorado State University Pueblo (BA in Mass Communications) |
| Graduate Education | Not Applicable | University of Illinois Springfield (MA in Public Affairs Reporting) |
| Early Career Field | Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing | Broadcast Journalism and Capitol Hill Press Secretary |
| Current Profession | Healthcare Consultant and Executive | Television Anchor, Political Commentator, and Author |
Age Gap Analysis and Demographic Comparison
The age gap between Dana Perino and Peter McMahon is 17 years and 11 months. Media reports and news profiles frequently describe this as an 18-year or 19-year age difference. McMahon was born in June 1954, and Perino was born in May 1972.
When the couple met in August 1997, Perino was 25 years old and McMahon was 43 years old. At that time, Perino was establishing her career on Capitol Hill as a press secretary. McMahon was an established business executive with extensive international corporate experience.
In public interviews and literary works, Perino has stated that the age difference provided structural stability to their relationship. McMahon’s established career and life experience allowed him to offer guidance as Perino navigated high-pressure government and media positions. The difference in their ages did not impede their shared goals regarding travel, family values, and professional growth.
Timeline of Age and Career Milestones
| Year | Peter McMahon Age | Dana Perino Age | Relationship and Career Context |
| 1997 | 43 Years Old | 25 Years Old | Met on a commercial flight from Denver to Chicago |
| 1998 | 44 Years Old | 26 Years Old | Married in England and relocated to Great Britain |
| 2001 | 47 Years Old | 29 Years Old | Returned to Washington, D.C., following Perino’s DOJ appointment |
| 2006 | 52 Years Old | 34 Years Old | McMahon naturalized as a United States citizen |
| 2007 | 53 Years Old | 35 Years Old | Perino named 26th White House Press Secretary |
| 2011 | 57 Years Old | 39 Years Old | Perino joined Fox News talk show The Five as co-host |
| 2024 | 70 Years Old | 52 Years Old | Celebrated 26 years of marriage |
The First Meeting on Flight 721
Dana Perino and Peter McMahon met on August 17, 1997. Perino was boarding a commercial passenger flight from Denver, Colorado, to Chicago, Illinois. She was returning to Washington, D.C., after visiting her parents in Colorado. McMahon was traveling on the same flight for business operations related to his medical device firm.
The two passengers were assigned adjacent seats in coach class. Perino was carrying a briefcase and political reading material. McMahon struck up a conversation about her reading choices, which led to a continuous discussion throughout the two-hour flight. Their conversation covered international policy, economics, personal backgrounds, and literature.
Perino noted in later memoirs that she found McMahon engaging, polite, and intellectually compatible. As the airplane arrived at the terminal gate in Chicago, McMahon asked if they could stay in contact. Perino handed him her business card, which listed her contact details at the United States House of Representatives. McMahon sent an electronic mail message shortly after landing, formally initiating their communication.
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Transatlantic Courtship and Engagement
Following their initial encounter, Perino and McMahon began a long-distance relationship spanning the Atlantic Ocean. At the time, McMahon resided in England due to his executive responsibilities, while Perino lived in Washington, D.C..
During late 1997 and early 1998, the couple communicated daily through international telephone calls and electronic mail. They organized frequent transatlantic travel to spend time together. McMahon flew to Washington, D.C., on multiple occasions, and Perino traveled to England to meet his family and social circle.
Five months after their flight meeting, McMahon proposed marriage during a visit to Washington, D.C.. He presented Perino with an engagement ring, and she accepted. The engagement required both individuals to coordinate international relocation plans, career transitions, and dual-country logistics.
Marriage Ceremony and Initial Life in Great Britain
Dana Perino and Peter McMahon were married in September 1998. The wedding was a private ceremony held in England. It was attended by close family members and personal friends from both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Shortly before the wedding, Representative Dan Schaefer announced his retirement from the United States House of Representatives. This legislative retirement concluded Perino’s press secretary contract on Capitol Hill. The timing allowed Perino to relocate to Great Britain without interrupting an ongoing political term.
The couple established their household in England, where they lived for three years from late 1998 until late 2001. During this period, Perino worked in corporate communications and public relations in London. McMahon continued his work as a corporate leader in pharmaceutical distribution and healthcare technology. The three years spent in Great Britain provided Perino with international public relations experience and expanded McMahon’s commercial operations.
Return to Washington D.C. and White House Tenure
In November 2001, Perino and McMahon moved back to the United States, settling in Washington, D.C.. Following the national events of September 11, 2001, Perino sought to re-enter public service within the federal government. She secured an appointment as a spokesperson for the United States Department of Justice, serving in that capacity for two years.
In 2002, Perino joined the White House staff as Associate Director of Communications for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. In 2005, White House Chief of Staff Andy Card appointed her Deputy Press Secretary under Press Secretary Scott McClellan and later Tony Snow.
When Tony Snow stepped aside temporarily for medical treatment in early 2007, Perino served as Acting White House Press Secretary from March 27 to April 30, 2007. On August 31, 2007, President George W. Bush announced Snow’s official resignation and named Perino as his successor. She served as the 26th White House Press Secretary from September 14, 2007, until the end of the Bush administration on January 20, 2009. She was the second woman in United States history to hold this position, following Dee Dee Myers.
Throughout Perino’s time at the White House, McMahon adjusted his commercial travel schedule to support her duties. He managed domestic routines, accompanied her to official administration dinners, and provided personal support during high-pressure news cycles.
United States Naturalization and Dual Citizenship
When Peter McMahon moved to the United States in 2000 to manage the European division of an American medical equipment manufacturer, he entered the country under corporate visa protocols and subsequently secured lawful permanent resident status.
After completing the mandatory residency requirements under federal immigration law, McMahon petitioned for naturalization in 2006. He completed background checks, passed the United States civics and history examinations, and took the oath of allegiance. He officially became a naturalized United States citizen while maintaining his British citizenship, giving him dual citizenship status.
During Perino’s executive branch service, President George W. Bush learned of McMahon’s British heritage. President Bush gave McMahon the informal White House nickname “The Englishman”. McMahon maintained positive relations with administration staff and frequently attended executive branch social functions.
Corporate Career and Healthcare Advisory Practice
Peter McMahon has spent more than 40 years working in corporate administration, healthcare management, and international business strategy. After graduating from the University of Brighton, he served in supply chain management and product distribution for UK pharmaceutical firms.
In 2000, McMahon was appointed President of the European division of a medical device manufacturer. In this role, he directed regional operations, clinical trial logistics, sales divisions, and regulatory compliance across multiple European Union nations. His division focused on delivering surgical technology and hospital infrastructure equipment to international health centers.
McMahon later established an independent healthcare consultancy. His firm provides strategic advice to hospital networks, outpatient clinical centers, and medical device companies. His work focuses on operational optimization, commercial expansion, supply chain efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
McMahon has also collaborated with specialized medical publishing organizations. He has assisted with custom editorial projects, clinical journal management, and medical education platforms targeting surgical, pharmaceutical, and administrative professionals.
Career Trajectory of Peter McMahon
| Era / Year Range | Role / Position | Organizational Focus | Primary Responsibilities |
| 1970s – 1990s | Sales and Marketing Manager | British Pharmaceutical Companies | Managing regional pharmaceutical supply contracts and product distribution. |
| 2000 – Mid-2000s | President, European Division | Global Medical Device Manufacturer | Overseeing European distribution, regulatory filings, and surgical equipment sales. |
| Mid-2000s – Present | Founder and Managing Principal | Independent Healthcare Advisory Firm | Advising hospital networks, surgical centers, and health tech firms on strategy. |
| Ongoing | Executive Advisor | Medical Media and Clinical Publishing Groups | Developing clinical publications and administrative tools for healthcare professionals. |
Family Structure and Step-Family Relationships
Peter McMahon was married in the United Kingdom prior to meeting Dana Perino. That initial marriage ended in divorce in the mid-1990s. McMahon had children from his first marriage, who were raised primarily in Great Britain.
Through his children, McMahon has multiple grandchildren. When Perino married McMahon in 1998, she became a step-mother to his children and subsequently a step-grandmother to his grandchildren. Perino has spoken openly in media interviews about her extended family in Great Britain, noting that she maintains warm relationships with her step-children and step-grandchildren.
Perino and McMahon chose not to have biological children together. They decided early in their marriage to concentrate their focus on their respective careers, extended family relationships, and personal pursuits.
Domestic Life and Companion Animals
Perino and McMahon split their living arrangements between Manhattan, New York, and Bay Head, New Jersey. They relocated their primary residence to New York following Perino’s transition to full-time television broadcasting at Fox News Channel, where she co-anchors America’s Newsroom and co-hosts The Five.
A well-documented aspect of their household life involves Hungarian Vizsla dogs. In 2012, the couple adopted a Vizsla puppy named Jasper. Jasper became a public figure, appearing in media broadcasts, photo series, and Fox News segments.
In 2016, Perino published a non-fiction book titled Let Me Tell You About Jasper: How My Best Friend Became America’s Dog. The book detailed their household routines, McMahon’s interactions with the dog, and public reactions to Jasper. Jasper died from cancer on September 4, 2021.
In late 2021, Perino and McMahon adopted another Hungarian Vizsla named Percy. Percy continues to feature in public updates, network broadcasts, and social posts.
Summary of Household Residences and Pets
| Category | Details |
| Primary City Residence | Manhattan, New York City, New York |
| Primary Coastal Residence | Bay Head, Ocean County, New Jersey |
| First Hungarian Vizsla | Jasper (Adopted 2012; Deceased September 4, 2021) |
| Current Hungarian Vizsla | Percy (Adopted Late 2021) |
| Notable Book Publication | Let Me Tell You About Jasper (Published 2016) |
Media Appearances and Literary Integration
Although Peter McMahon works outside the entertainment industry, he has made targeted appearances alongside Perino on news broadcasts, podcasts, and literary tours.
McMahon was a featured guest on Perino’s podcast, Everything Will Be Okay, where he discussed career development, international trade, and long-term marriage strategies. He has also appeared on Fox News programs, including joint interviews with Martha MacCallum, to share the story of their flight meeting in 1997 and discuss managing career shifts.
Perino discusses McMahon in several of her published books. In her 2015 memoir, And the Good News Is… Lessons and Advice from the Bright Side, she details their courtship, their move to England, and McMahon’s support during her White House service. In her 2021 career guide, Everything Will Be Okay: Life Lessons for Young Women, she outlines how McMahon served as a mentor and practical advisor during major decisions.
Through joint media appearances and literary references, the couple has documented how their shared values, mutual career support, and clear communication helped them navigate public exposure, national political shifts, and an 18-year age difference over a marriage spanning more than two decades.
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