Fox News host and former White House press secretary Dana Perino is grieving the loss of her father, Leo Perino, who died at age 79.
The death has sparked an outpouring of condolences for one of conservative media’s most prominent figures. Leo Perino and his wife, Jan, raised Dana and her sister Angie in Wyoming, instilling values centered on service, hard work, and community engagement.
A Life of Service
Leo Perino spent much of his life in the Denver area, where he actively participated in civic causes and community improvement initiatives. His wife Jan devoted decades to volunteer work and nonprofit service, including extensive work with Lutheran Family Services.
Jan Perino once described raising her daughters as her proudest achievement. “My favorite ‘job’ was raising two daughters to be professional, compassionate women who are making a difference in the world,” she said in a 2013 interview.
The couple made volunteering a family activity, with Jan explaining that “families who volunteer together stick together.” These early experiences shaped Dana’s trajectory from Wyoming to Washington and eventually to national prominence.
Career and Family
Dana Perino served as White House press secretary under President George W. Bush before becoming a longtime Fox News personality and co-host of “The Five.” Throughout her career, she has credited her family with keeping her grounded.
Perino met her husband, Peter McMahon, in 1997 on a flight shortly after she began working on Capitol Hill. “We had polite conversation at first. I asked him about his book, he asked me how my trip was, but we ended up talking for two and a half hours. We call it love at first flight,” Dana recalled.
Leo Perino approved of the relationship despite the 12-year age difference, believing an older partner suited Dana’s mature temperament and drive. McMahon, an international businessman, has remained integral to Dana’s career, with Perino referring to him as “the wizard behind the curtain.”
The Perino Family Legacy
Dana’s sister, Angie Machock, is an accomplished artist whose work has earned recognition from family and Fox News personalities alike. Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt publicly praised Angie’s artistic talents after receiving one of her paintings.
