Dana Perino and Peter McMahon Decide to Adopt After Years of Childlessness – Are They Looking to Add a New Member to Their Family?
It’s 8:19 p.m. PDT on March 20, 2025, and a fresh wave of speculation is swirling around Fox News star Dana Perino and her husband, Peter McMahon: after 26 years of marriage without kids, are they finally taking the plunge into parenthood through adoption? The rumor—whispered on social media and fanned by fans’ curiosity—suggests the couple, known for their tight-knit life and beloved Vizslas, might be ready to grow their family in a big way. No official word’s dropped, but the idea’s got legs: could this be a heartfelt new chapter for the former White House Press Secretary and her British businessman husband? Let’s explore what’s behind this buzz—and whether it’s fact, wishful thinking, or something in between.
A Marriage Built on Love, Not Kids
Dana Perino, 52, and Peter McMahon, 70, have been a rock-solid duo since meeting on a Denver-to-Chicago flight in 1997. They tied the knot in 1998, eloping in England with strangers as witnesses—a whirlwind romance that’s lasted over two decades. No kids came from their union, a fact Perino’s addressed with grace. In her 2021 book, Everything Will Be Okay, she wrote about pouring her nurturing energy into mentoring young women and cherishing her role as a stepmom to McMahon’s two kids from a prior marriage (Barry and Kelly) and step-grandma to their kids, like Rachel and Sebastian. “Motherhood wasn’t a strong calling for me,” she’s hinted in interviews, per Facts Verse (March 2025), finding fulfillment elsewhere.
Instead, their “babies” have been furry—Vizslas Henry, Jasper (who passed in 2021), and now Percy. Perino’s Instagram’s a love letter to these pups, with McMahon often by her side, walking them on Bay Head, NJ, beaches or cuddling at their NYC rental. “They’re family,” she told People in 2021 after Jasper’s death, a loss that hit hard. So, why adoption now? The rumor suggests a shift—maybe a longing to expand beyond their pet-centric clan.
The Adoption Rumor: Where’s It From?
The chatter started quietly—think X posts like “Heard Dana and Peter are adopting—big news if true!” popping up in early March 2025. No source pins it down—no Fox leak, no Perino podcast hint—just fan speculation after her latest book, I Wish Someone Had Told Me (out April 22, 2025), touched on legacy and family in vague, heartfelt terms. A March 15 Palm Beach sighting (via Daily Mail) of the couple looking “extra happy” didn’t help—fans read into every smile. Add McMahon’s age (70) and Perino’s career peak—co-hosting The Five and America’s Newsroom, moderating GOP debates—and some wonder if they’re eyeing a new adventure.
Their childlessness has long sparked curiosity. Perino’s been open about it—telling HolyCitySinner.com in 2021 that her dogs filled a void, while a 2017 Women’s Health essay revealed a miscarriage that shaped her path. McMahon, with kids from before, never pushed for more, per her accounts. Adoption, though? It’s a leap no one’s tied to them before—until now.
Could It Happen? The Case For and Against
The Case For: They’ve got the means—Perino’s $6 million net worth (per Tuko.co.ke, 2025) and McMahon’s estimated $10-12 million from his GreenSleeve Medical gig (via LawyersClubIndia, 2024) could fund adoption’s costs. Their Bay Head home’s got space, and Perino’s mentorship streak—she’s guided countless young pros—could translate to parenting. McMahon’s grandkids show he’s got paternal chops, and at 70, maybe he’s craving a late-life legacy with Dana. Their faith (she’s a devout Christian) might nudge them toward giving a child a home—think adoption as a calling.
The Case Against: Time’s tight—Perino’s juggling two Fox shows, a book tour, and a podcast (Perino on Politics). McMahon’s semi-retired but still tied to business. At 52 and 70, they’re past typical parenting age, and their dog-centric life seems complete—Percy’s their “new baby,” Perino joked on air in 2021. No hints of adoption prep—like agency visits or legal moves—have surfaced, and Perino’s never voiced that itch. Plus, their past silence on kids suggests contentment—why pivot now?
A Big Step—or Just a Big Story?
If true, adoption would be huge—a seismic shift for a couple who’ve built a full life without biological kids. Imagine Perino, the polished politico, and McMahon, the low-key exec, navigating diapers or school runs—it’s a heartwarming twist. Fans on X are split: “Dana adopting? She’d be an amazing mom!” vs. “Nah, they’re happy with Percy—let it go.” Their past secrecy—think Hannity-Earhardt levels of coy—means they could be planning this quietly, but without a peep from Fox or their camp, it’s guesswork.
At 8:19 p.m. PDT, March 20, 2025, here’s the take: no proof backs this adoption rumor—it’s a feel-good “what if” fueled by fans who adore them. Are they adding a new member? Probably not—not human, anyway. Another pup might be more their speed—Percy could use a pal. Dana and Peter’s family feels complete, but if they surprise us, it’d be one heck of a story. For now, it’s wishful thinking—cute, but unconfirmed. Watch this space—truth’s got a way of sneaking out.