Dana Perino Husband Age | How Old Is Peter McMahon?

Peter McMahon is 72 years old as of 2026. He was born on June 6, 1954, in Blackpool, England, which makes him 18 years older than his wife, Dana Perino.

Essential Profile Data of Peter McMahon and Dana Perino

Profile Category	Peter McMahon	Dana Perino
Full Birth Name	Peter McMahon	Dana Marie Perino
Date of Birth	June 6, 1954	May 9, 1972
Age	72 years old	54 years old
Place of Birth	Blackpool, England, United Kingdom	Evanston, Wyoming, United States
Nationality	British and American	American
Education	Degree in Marketing, University of Brighton	BA in Mass Communications, CSU Pueblo; MA in Public Affairs Reporting, UI Springfield
Primary Career	Healthcare Executive and Business Consultant	Political Commentator, Author, former White House Press Secretary
Marriage Date	1998	1998

Age Difference Between Peter McMahon and Dana Perino

Peter McMahon was born on June 6, 1954. Dana Perino was born on May 9, 1972. This creates an age gap of 18 years between the couple.

When Peter McMahon and Dana Perino first met in August 1997, Perino was 25 years old and McMahon was 43 years old. Despite the age gap, the two formed an immediate connection during a commercial flight. They married the following year in 1998.

In public interviews, Dana Perino has addressed their age difference. She has stated that the 18-year age gap never created issues in their marriage. McMahon brought business experience and personal stability to the relationship, which supported Perino during her fast-paced career in public service and television broadcasting. The age difference has remained a constant point of interest for the public, but the couple has maintained a stable marriage for over 25 years.

Early Life and Education of Peter McMahon

Peter McMahon grew up in Blackpool, England. Blackpool is a coastal town located in Lancashire in North West England. McMahon spent his childhood and early education years in the United Kingdom.

After finishing high school, McMahon pursued higher education in marketing and business administration. He enrolled at the University of Brighton, which is located on the southern coast of England. He earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the institution. His education provided a strong background in sales, distribution, and international business management. This educational background led directly to his long career in the global medical equipment and pharmaceutical industries.

Career in Medical Sales and Healthcare Management

Peter McMahon spent most of his professional life working in the healthcare and medical device sectors. He began his career in sales and marketing for major European medical supply companies. Over several decades, he moved into senior executive roles.

McMahon specialized in international business development. He managed supply chains and regulatory approval processes for medical equipment across Europe and North America. His work required frequent international travel between Great Britain, mainland Europe, and the United States.

In 2000, McMahon relocated permanently to the United States. He took on executive roles representing international medical companies operating in North America. Later in his career, he established his own independent consulting firm. His consultancy firm provides business advice, marketing strategies, and operational support to healthcare firms, medical supply companies, and hospitals.

First Meeting on the 1997 Flight

Peter McMahon and Dana Perino met by chance on August 17, 1997. They were both passengers on a commercial flight from Denver, Colorado to Chicago, Illinois. Perino was returning from a trip, while McMahon was traveling for business.

They were assigned seats next to each other on the aircraft. During the flight, they started a conversation about their careers, travel experiences, and personal interests. Perino was working as a press secretary for Congressman Dan Schaefer at the time. McMahon was working as an international business executive.

By the end of the flight, McMahon asked Perino for her phone number. She gave him her contact information, and McMahon called her shortly after landing. Their meeting led to a long-distance relationship between Washington, D.C. and England.

Timeline of Peter McMahon and Dana Perino Relationship

Year	Event or Milestone
August 1997	Peter McMahon and Dana Perino meet on a flight from Denver to Chicago
November 1997	McMahon proposes to Perino during a trip to Washington, D.C.
1998	The couple marries in a private ceremony in England
1998 to 2001	The couple lives in Great Britain while McMahon continues his business career
November 2001	Perino and McMahon relocate back to Washington, D.C.
2007	Perino becomes White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush
2009	Perino finishes her White House tenure; couple moves to New York and New Jersey
2012	The couple adopts Jasper, a Vizsla dog who becomes a popular media figure
September 2021	Jasper passes away; the couple later adopts Percy, another Vizsla dog
Present	McMahon and Perino celebrate over 25 years of marriage

Marriage and Early Living Arrangements in Great Britain

After dating long-distance for a few months, Peter McMahon proposed to Dana Perino in November 1997. The proposal took place in Washington, D.C. near the Washington Monument. Perino accepted the proposal, and the couple married in 1998 in England.

Following their wedding, the couple went on an 11-day honeymoon in Greece. Because McMahon was based in England for his executive career, Perino decided to move to Great Britain. She resigned from her congressional staff position in Washington, D.C.

The couple lived in England for three years, from 1998 until late 2001. During this period, Perino worked in public relations for British organizations, while McMahon managed his international healthcare business. Their time in Great Britain allowed Perino to gain international work experience before returning to American political communications.

Moving to the United States and Supporting Dana Perino Career

In late 2001, Peter McMahon and Dana Perino moved back to the United States. They settled in Washington, D.C., where Perino accepted a position as a spokesperson for the United States Department of Justice following the events of September 11, 2001.

In 2002, Perino joined the White House staff as Associate Director of Communications for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. She later became Deputy Press Secretary. In September 2007, President George W. Bush appointed Perino as the 26th White House Press Secretary. She was the second woman in United States history to hold this position.

During Perino’s time at the White House, McMahon adjusted his business schedule to support her high-pressure role. He handled domestic duties, managed their moves, and accompanied her to official White House functions. After the Bush administration ended in January 2009, the couple moved to Manhattan and later purchased a home in Bay Head, New Jersey. This move allowed Perino to transition into her broadcasting career with Fox News.

Previous Marriage, Children, and Step-Grandchildren

Before meeting Dana Perino in 1997, Peter McMahon was married twice before in Great Britain. Both of those previous marriages ended in divorce.

McMahon has two adult children from his previous marriages. His children were raised in Great Britain and continue to live in Europe. Through his children, McMahon has grandchildren.

Dana Perino and Peter McMahon do not have biological children together. However, Perino embraced her role as a stepmother to McMahon’s adult children and a step-grandmother to his grandchildren. The family maintains private relationships, and McMahon’s children occasionally visit the couple in the United States.

Domestic Life, Personal Interests, and Family Pets

Peter McMahon and Dana Perino share a quiet personal life outside of Perino’s television work. They divide their time between their residence in New York City and their beach house in Bay Head, New Jersey.

The couple is known for their love of dogs, specifically the Vizsla breed. In 2012, they adopted a Vizsla named Jasper. Jasper gained national recognition through Perino’s appearances on Fox News and her social media accounts. Viewers frequently saw photographs of Jasper, and Perino referred to him as America’s Dog. Jasper passed away in September 2021.

A few months after Jasper’s death, McMahon and Perino adopted another Vizsla puppy named Percy. McMahon takes an active role in training and caring for their dogs, often handling daily walks along the New Jersey shoreline.

McMahon also enjoys outdoor activities, including sailing and traveling. His British background gives him an interest in international football and European sports.

Public Image and Support During White House Years

Peter McMahon remained mostly out of the public eye during Dana Perino’s service as White House Press Secretary. While press secretaries face constant public scrutiny, spouses generally maintain a private lifestyle unless attending state events.

McMahon attended official White House dinners, presidential receptions, and international trips when schedules permitted. Former White House staff members noted that McMahon provided a calm environment for Perino during high-stress political events.

McMahon became an American citizen during their time living in the United States. He holds dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and the United States. His status as a naturalized American citizen allowed him to vote in United States elections alongside his wife.

Summary Comparison of Career and Background Details

Detail Category	Peter McMahon	Dana Perino
Primary Field	Medical Industry & Business Consulting	Political Communications & News Media
Highest Role	Corporate President & Independent Consultant	White House Press Secretary & TV Host
Key Employers	International Healthcare Companies	US Government, Fox News, Random House
Book Publications	Co-author on business articles	Author of three national best-selling books
Media Presence	Private business executive	Public co-host of The Five and America’s Newsroom
Citizenship	Dual Citizenship (UK / US)	United States
Current Main Residence	Bay Head, New Jersey / New York City	Bay Head, New Jersey / New York City

Professional Influence on Dana Perino Writing Career

Peter McMahon played an active supporting role in Dana Perino’s success as a book author. Perino has published multiple best-selling books, including her 2015 memoir, And the Good News Is…: Lessons and Advice from the Bright Side, and her 2021 book, Everything Will Be Okay: Life Lessons for Young Women with a Way to Go.

During the writing process for each book, McMahon served as an initial reader and editor. He provided feedback on structure, business logic, and clarity. Perino has credited McMahon in her book acknowledgments for encouraging her to write and for maintaining order in their home while she completed manuscript deadlines.

McMahon’s background in corporate management also helped Perino navigate contract discussions and corporate speaking engagements. His business experience complemented her public relations expertise, forming a solid partnership in her commercial endeavors.

Key Facts About Peter McMahon

Fact Question	Verified Answer
How old is Peter McMahon?	72 years old (born June 6, 1954)
How old is Dana Perino?	54 years old (born May 9, 1972)
What is the age gap between them?	18 years
Where was Peter McMahon born?	Blackpool, England, United Kingdom
What is Peter McMahon’s profession?	Healthcare executive and business consultant
How many times has Dana Perino been married?	One time (to Peter McMahon since 1998)
Does Peter McMahon have children?	Yes, two adult children from previous marriages
Do Peter McMahon and Dana Perino have children together?	No, they do not have children together
What dog breed do they own?	Vizsla (current dog named Percy)
What is Peter McMahon’s citizenship status?	Dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and United States