Dana Perino Age, Birthdate, And Career Timeline

Dana Perino was born on May 9, 1972, making her 54 years old. She grew up in Denver, Colorado, and built a prominent career spanning federal government service, book publishing, and cable news anchoring. Best known as the second female White House Press Secretary in United States history, she currently co-anchors America's Newsroom and co-hosts the roundtable talk show The Five on the Fox News Channel.

Understanding her path requires looking beyond a birthdate to trace how a local broadcast journalism student moved into the West Wing and eventually became a fixture of daytime cable television.

Early Life and Education

Born in Evanston, Wyoming, Dana Marie Perino spent her formative years in the Denver metropolitan area. She attended Ponderosa High School in Parker, Colorado. Her academic pursuits centered on mass communication and public policy from an early stage.

She enrolled at Colorado State University-Pueblo, where she earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications with minors in political science and Spanish. During her undergraduate years, she participated heavily on the forensics and debate team and worked at the campus television station, KTSC-TV, as well as local radio.

Eager to deepen her expertise in political communication, she moved to Illinois to attend the University of Illinois Springfield. She completed a master's degree in public affairs reporting. While completing her graduate studies, she worked as a daily reporter for a CBS affiliate, covering the Illinois State Capitol.

Early Political Career and Washington Beginnings

Armed with a background in journalism and public affairs, Perino shifted from reporting the news to shaping political messaging. Her early career milestones in Washington, D.C., include:

• Working as a staff assistant for Colorado Congressman Scott McInnis.
• Serving nearly four years as the press secretary for Representative Dan Schaefer, who chaired the House Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
• Relocating briefly to Great Britain with her husband, Peter McMahon, before returning to the United States to re-enter public service.
• Joining the Department of Justice as a spokesperson in November 2001, serving in that capacity for two years.
• Transitioning to the White House staff as the associate director of communications for the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).

The White House Years and Press Secretary Role

Perino joined the George W. Bush administration's communications team shortly after the September 11 attacks. In 2005, she was promoted to Deputy Press Secretary.

Her national profile grew significantly in the spring of 2007 when she served as the Acting White House Press Secretary for a month while Tony Snow underwent medical treatment for colon cancer. When Snow resigned later that year due to health complications, President George W. Bush appointed Perino as the official White House Press Secretary.

She served in the role from September 14, 2007, until the end of the Bush administration in January 2009. She was only the second woman in history to hold the position permanently, following Dee Dee Myers during the Clinton administration. Her tenure included high-pressure briefings during the height of the Iraq War surge and the 2008 financial crisis.

Transition to Fox News and Media Expansion

Following the conclusion of the Bush administration, Perino successfully transitioned into political commentary and television broadcasting.

In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated her to serve on the Broadcasting Board of Governors, an appointment confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Concurrently, she began teaching part-time on political communications at George Washington University and spent time working as an executive at Random House.

Her television career expanded rapidly:

• The Five: She joined the launch lineup of the afternoon talk and commentary program in 2011, where she remains a primary co-host.
• The Daily Briefing: In 2017, she launched her own solo daytime news program on Fox News.
• America's Newsroom: In early 2021, she moved into the co-anchor chair alongside Bill Hemmer to helm the network's core morning news broadcast.
• Podcasting and Guest Hosting: She has hosted political podcasts, including Perino on Politics, and frequently guest-hosts the late-night comedy program Gutfeld!.

You can read more about network announcements and official programming details directly on the Fox News platform or review archived presidential records at the George W. Bush White House Archives.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Perino married British-American businessman Peter McMahon in 1998 after meeting him on a flight to Denver. The couple resides in New Jersey.

Outside of broadcasting, she is well known for her affinity for Vizsla dogs. Her late dog Jasper became a social media fixture and a staple of her public persona. She remains active in literacy campaigns, mentoring programs, and historical preservation initiatives. Her alma mater, Colorado State University-Pueblo, awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2023 in recognition of her contributions to public discourse and journalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Dana Perino born?

Dana Perino was born on May 9, 1972.

How long was Dana Perino White House Press Secretary?

She served as White House Press Secretary from September 2007 until January 2009, a period of roughly 16 months.

What shows does Dana Perino currently host on Fox News?

She co-anchors America's Newsroom every weekday morning and serves as a co-host on the afternoon roundtable program The Five.

Did Dana Perino write any books?

Yes, she has authored several books, including non-fiction titles detailing her experiences in Washington, advice for young professionals, and reflections on her late dog Jasper.