If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines. They’re usually flashy, a bit clickbaity, and designed to make you stop scrolling. "Dana Perino Says Goodbye," or "Tragic Ending for Fox News Star." It makes it sound like her world is falling apart. Naturally, the first thing everyone starts typing into Google is: did dana perino divorce her husband?
Honestly, it’s a fair question in the world of high-profile media marriages where "forever" often means "until the next contract cycle." But when it comes to Dana Perino and Peter McMahon, the reality is actually way more interesting than the rumors.
The Short Answer: Are They Actually Divorced?
Let's just get it out of the way. No. As of early 2026, Dana Perino and her husband Peter McMahon are still very much married. In fact, they recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. If you follow Dana on Instagram or catch her on The Five, you’ll still hear her mention "Peter" with that same mix of affection and mild "married couple" teasing that’s become her trademark. There have been zero legal filings, zero credible "source" reports to People or Page Six, and zero indications from Perino herself that a split is on the horizon.
So, why does the internet keep insisting they’ve called it quits?
Where the Rumors Came From
The internet is a weird place. Sometimes, a rumor starts because of a genuine mistake; other times, it’s just pure "churn" from low-quality AI sites trying to grab views.
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- The Clickbait Machine: You might have seen those "Saying Goodbye" videos on YouTube. Usually, these aren't about a divorce at all. They’re often about the loss of their beloved dog, Jasper, or more recently, their new adventures with their Vizsla, Percy. But the thumbnail makes it look like a tragic breakup.
- The "Tragic Diagnosis" Headlines: There was a wave of content claiming Peter had a "tragic diagnosis." While Peter is older than Dana (about 18 years, actually), he’s been remarkably active. Most of these "health crisis" stories are exaggerated or based on minor mentions of routine aging.
- The Fiction Debut: In late 2025, Dana announced her debut novel, Purple State, set to release in April 2026. Because it’s a romantic comedy, some fans started projecting the fictional "drama" onto her real life. It’s a classic case of confusing the art with the artist.
Love at First Flight: A Refresher on Their Relationship
To understand why they aren't divorcing, you kind of have to look at how they started. It’s basically a rom-com script.
Back in 1997, Dana was 25 and boarding a flight from Denver to Chicago. She was the second-to-last person to board. Peter was the very last. He sat down in seat 13C, right next to her in 13A. Peter was a British businessman, 43 years old, twice divorced, and definitely not looking for a third marriage.
They talked for the entire two-and-a-half-hour flight.
By the time they landed, Dana had given him her home number, work number, and even her fax number (it was the 90s, after all). They married just eleven months later in England. Dana has often said that "love is not a career-limiting choice," referencing how she took a leap of faith to be with him before her career at the White House even began.
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Why People Get It Wrong
People love a "scandal," and the age gap between Dana and Peter is often what fuels the fire. When they met, the 18-year difference seemed huge. Now that Dana is in her early 50s and Peter is in his early 70s, the "life stage" differences are more visible.
But if you look at the evidence, Peter has been her "anchor." When she was the White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush—a job that would break most people—Peter was the one making her English breakfast tea every morning. When she moved to New York for Fox News, he was the one who handled the logistics so she could focus on the desk.
The "Grandma America" Factor
Another reason people think things might be changing is that Peter has children and grandchildren from his previous marriages. Dana is "Grandma America" to them. Their family structure is unconventional, but it's been stable for nearly three decades.
What to Watch For
While did dana perino divorce her husband remains a trending search, it’s mostly a ghost chase. If you want the actual news on her life, look for these things instead:
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- The Book Tour: With Purple State coming out in April 2026, expect Peter to be right there in the front row.
- Percy the Dog: Most of their "family" updates these days revolve around their dog. If you see a headline about a "sad loss" in the Perino household, 99% of the time it’s about a pet, not a spouse.
- Bay Head, New Jersey: They still spend a ton of time at their beach house. When a couple is heading for divorce, they usually stop sharing the vacation home. They haven't.
Basically, don't believe every thumbnail you see on a YouTube sidebar. In a world where celebrity marriages last as long as a TikTok trend, Perino and McMahon seem to be the exception to the rule. They’ve built a life that survived the pressure cooker of the West Wing and the chaos of cable news.
If they were actually splitting up, Dana—who is known for being remarkably transparent with her audience—would likely be the one to break the news herself, rather than letting a random blog do it for her.
Next Steps for You:
If you're still curious about Dana's personal life, the best place to get the "real" vibe is her podcast, Everything's Going to Be Okay. She frequently shares anecdotes about her weekend plans with Peter that give a much clearer picture than any rumor mill ever could. Or, you can check out her Instagram for the latest photos of Percy—usually with Peter somewhere in the background holding the leash.