You’ve probably seen her on The Five, sitting there with that signature poise, dissecting the latest D.C. drama with a sharp wit. But for many fans of Fox News, the curiosity doesn't stop at her political takes. It’s the guy often mentioned in passing—the one with the British accent and the penchant for international business—that really piques interest. Dana Perino and husband Peter McMahon have one of those "meet-cute" stories that sounds like it was ripped straight out of a 90s rom-com, yet their marriage has outlasted nearly every political trend of the last three decades.
It wasn't a setup. No high-level networking event or D.C. cocktail party brought them together. Honestly, it was just a regular, boring flight from Denver to Chicago in 1997.
The Flight That Changed Everything
Imagine being 25 years old. You’re ambitious, you’re working for a congressman, and you’re focused on your career. You board a plane, settle into seat 13C, and the guy in 13A starts talking. That was Dana’s reality. Peter McMahon, a British businessman 18 years her senior, was the man in the window seat.
They didn't just exchange polite nods. They talked for the entire two-and-a-half-hour flight. Peter wasn't some political junkie; he was a guy in the medical supply industry who had lived all over the world. By the time the wheels touched down in Chicago, Dana had handed him a card with every possible way to reach her: home phone, work phone, fax (remember those?), and email.
He emailed. She replied. The rest is history.
Who Exactly is Peter McMahon?
While Dana is the household name, Peter is a powerhouse in his own right, though he tends to stay behind the scenes. Born in Blackpool, England, in 1954, he spent a good chunk of his life navigating the complexities of the healthcare and medical device industries. He’s not just "Dana Perino’s husband"—he’s a consultant and businessman who has held senior management roles at major pharmaceutical companies.
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People often get hung up on the age gap. He’s about 19 years older than her. Does it matter? Not to them.
"He’s definitely my best friend and my best guide," Dana once said.
She's often credited him as the "wizard behind the curtain" for her career. When she was preparing to be the White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush, Peter was the one sitting on the couch with her, watching documentaries on Middle East policy and helping her grill herself on the facts. He brought an international perspective that a kid from Wyoming—even a very smart one—didn't necessarily have yet.
A Marriage Built on Weird Logistics
Their early days were a mess of international flights and long-distance phone bills. Peter was based in the U.K., and Dana was in Washington, D.C. In 1998, they decided to go for it. They got married and actually moved to England for a bit.
It didn't last. Not the marriage—the living in England part.
When the 9/11 attacks happened, Dana felt a pull to return to public service in America. They moved back, eventually landing in San Diego before heading back to the swamp of D.C. Through the high-pressure years of the Bush administration and the transition into a media career, Peter has been the constant.
The Dog Factor: Jasper and Percy
You can’t talk about Dana Perino and husband Peter McMahon without mentioning the dogs. Specifically, the Vizslas.
For years, Jasper was basically the unofficial mascot of Fox News. When Jasper passed away in 2021, it wasn't just a private loss; it was a national event for her viewers. It was actually a viewer who helped Peter find their current dog, Percy.
Peter is the one who usually handles the "dog dad" duties when Dana is under the bright lights of the studio. If you follow them on social media, you’ll see that their life isn't all power suits and teleprompters. It’s a lot of walking the dog in New Jersey and trying to figure out whose turn it is to make dinner.
Why Their Relationship Actually Works
What most people get wrong is thinking their life is a non-stop political debate. From everything they’ve shared, it’s the opposite. Peter provides the "normal" world. He’s interested in business, travel, and his kids from a previous marriage (yes, he has two children and is a grandfather).
He’s the anchor.
In a town like D.C., or a world like cable news where everyone is looking for the next big break, having a partner who doesn't care about your Nielson ratings is probably the only way to stay sane. They’ve been married since September 30, 1998. In "celebrity years," that’s basically a century.
Key Takeaways for Your Own Life
While you might not meet your spouse on a United flight to O'Hare, there are some pretty solid lessons to take from the McMahon-Perino playbook:
- Don't write off the "random" encounter. Sometimes the most important person you'll ever meet is sitting in seat 13A.
- Support isn't just cheering. It’s doing the "boring" work. Peter helping Dana study foreign policy is a prime example of a partner investing in their spouse's success.
- Age is just a number, but maturity isn't. Their gap worked because they were both driven and understood what they wanted out of life.
- Keep a private sanctuary. They share bits of their life, but they keep the core of their relationship away from the cameras.
If you’re looking to build a career as high-profile as Dana’s, or just want a marriage that lasts longer than a single election cycle, paying attention to how these two have navigated the spotlight is a great place to start.
Check out Dana's books like And the Good News Is... for more personal anecdotes on how they balanced a White House career with a British husband who just wanted to walk the dog.
Next Steps:
If you want to see more of their life behind the scenes, follow Dana on Instagram where she frequently posts "Percy updates" and occasional cameos of Peter. You can also listen to the season finale of her podcast Everything Will Be Okay, where she actually interviews Peter about his business career and their life together.