Career Timeline of Linda McMahon: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Linda McMahon built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Linda McMahon is an American business executive and political figure. She served as the 25th Administrator of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 and as the 13th United States Secretary of Education since 2025. She is a member of the Republican Party. Before her political career, McMahon was a professional wrestling executive.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1969: Move to Gaithersburg and Employment

In 1969, the McMahons moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland. Linda worked as a receptionist at Covington & Burling, where she translated documents, trained as a paralegal, and studied intellectual property rights.

1971: Vince McMahon Joins WWWF

In 1971, Vince McMahon joined his father's company, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, later WWF, now WWE).

1979: Promotion of Wrestling Events

In 1979, Vince McMahon decided to start promoting wrestling events at the Cape Cod Coliseum.

1980: Co-founding Titan Sports, Inc.

In 1980, Linda McMahon and Vince McMahon co-founded Titan Sports, Inc.

1984: Establishment of First Action Figures

In 1984, Linda McMahon established the company's first line of action figures, Wrestling Superstars, helping to expand the company's popularity with children.

1986: Support for the Special Olympics

In 1986, The McMahons began supporting the Special Olympics.

1993: President of Titan Sports, Inc.

In 1993, Linda McMahon became the president of Titan Sports, Inc.

1995: Appointment to Governor's Council

In 1995, as Connecticut Governor, Lowell Weicker appointed Linda McMahon to the Governor's Council for the World Special Olympics.

1997: CEO of Titan Sports, Inc.

In 1997, Linda McMahon became the CEO of Titan Sports, Inc.

May 3, 1999: WWF TV Debut

On May 3, 1999, Linda McMahon debuted on WWF TV during the Corporate Ministry storyline, on the episode of Raw during the Attitude Era.

August 2000: Launch of "SmackDown! Your Vote" Campaign

In August 2000, Linda McMahon initiated WWE's non-partisan voter registration campaign, "SmackDown! Your Vote", targeting the 18-to-30 voter demographic. During the 2000 election, the campaign registered 150,000 new voters.

2000: Negotiation of TV Deal with Viacom

In 2000, Linda McMahon was the primary negotiator for the World Wrestling Federation's TV deal with Viacom.

2000: Get R.E.A.L. Program

In 2000, McMahon launched the company's Get R.E.A.L. program to deliver positive messages about education to young adults. In 2000, the American Library Association reported the WWF's Know Your Role poster was its highest-selling poster for two straight months.

November 2004: Member of Board of Trustees

In November 2004, Linda McMahon became a member of the board of trustees of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

2005: Appointment to The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America National Advisory Council and Arthur M. Sackler Award

In 2005, Linda McMahon won appointment to The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America National Advisory Council and received the Arthur M. Sackler Award from the Connecticut Grand Opera and Orchestra for WWE's support of its arts education program.

2006: Construction of Tennis Facility

In 2006, the McMahons paid $2.5 million for the construction of a tennis facility in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.

2006: Distribution of Posters to Libraries and Reading Facilities

Since 2006, thousands of posters featuring WWE superstars have been distributed to libraries and reading facilities.

May 2007: Keynote Speaker at Girl Scout Council

In May 2007, Linda McMahon appeared as the keynote speaker at the Girl Scout Council of Southwestern Connecticut's Women of Achievement Leadership Breakfast.

2007: Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award

In 2007, WWE received the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award for its support of deployed service members in Iraq and Afghanistan.

2008: Online Voter Registration

As of the 2008 election, Smackdown your Vote! registered many voters online, often in affiliation with Rock the Vote.

2008: GI Film Festival's Corporate Patriot Award

In 2008, WWE received the GI Film Festival's Corporate Patriot Award.

2008: Donations to Various Institutions

In 2008, the McMahons donated over $8 million to the Fishburne Military School, Sacred Heart University, and East Carolina University.

January 2009: Appointed to Connecticut State Board of Education

In January 2009, Linda McMahon was appointed to the Connecticut State Board of Education by Governor Jodi Rell.

September 16, 2009: Resignation as CEO of WWE

On September 16, 2009, Linda McMahon resigned from her position as CEO of WWE to run as a Republican for a seat in the United States Senate from Connecticut.

2009: Departure from WWE

In 2009, Linda McMahon left WWE to pursue a seat in the United States Senate from Connecticut.

2009: Sat on the Connecticut Board of Education

In 2009, Linda McMahon served on the Connecticut Board of Education for one year, expressing a lifelong interest in education.

2009: Donation to Donald J. Trump Foundation

In 2009, the McMahons donated $5 million to the Donald J. Trump Foundation.

April 1, 2010: Resigned from State Board of Education

On April 1, 2010, Linda McMahon resigned from the State Board of Education after a legal opinion disallowed board members from soliciting campaign contributions, as she had entered the race for U.S. Senate.

2010: Board Member of Close Up Foundation

As of 2010, Linda McMahon served on the board of the Close Up Foundation, a nonprofit which offers youth field trips to Washington, D.C.

September 20, 2011: Announced candidacy for U.S. Senate

On September 20, 2011, Linda McMahon officially announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate in Southington, Connecticut.

May 18, 2012: Earned state Republican Party endorsement

On May 18, 2012, Linda McMahon earned the endorsement of the state Republican Party at the Connecticut State Republican Convention.

August 14, 2012: Defeated Chris Shays in primary

On August 14, 2012, Linda McMahon defeated Chris Shays in the primary election for U.S. Senate.

2012: Hinted at running for Senate again

In 2012, immediately after losing to Blumenthal, Linda McMahon hinted that she would run again for Senate and maintained a high profile, eventually becoming the Republican Party favorite when Joe Lieberman announced his retirement.

December 7, 2016: Nomination for Administrator of the Small Business Administration

On December 7, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Linda McMahon to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA).

January 24, 2017: Confirmation hearing

On January 24, 2017, Linda McMahon's confirmation hearing took place.

February 1, 2017: Nomination approved by Senate Committee

On February 1, 2017, Linda McMahon's nomination was approved by the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

February 14, 2017: Confirmation as Administrator of the SBA

On February 14, 2017, Linda McMahon was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 25th administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA).

June 17, 2017: Interview with CNBC

On June 17, 2017, Linda McMahon stated in an interview with CNBC that her role as administrator of SBA involved learning how to develop business plans, how to grow, how to pitch one's business when trying to get investors, or to move into a different market, and that the goals of the SBA were being challenged by a budget cut.

2017: Appointment as Administrator of the Small Business Administration

In 2017, Linda McMahon was appointed as the 25th Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

2017: Visited cities to support Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Throughout 2017, Linda McMahon visited 68 cities to hear from small business owners and support the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

January 29, 2018: Progress at SBA

On January 29, 2018, on Linda McMahon's first anniversary as head of the SBA, The Washington Post noted the SBA's progress under her leadership.

March 29, 2019: Announcement of Departure from the SBA

On March 29, 2019, the Trump administration announced that Linda McMahon would step down as the administrator of the SBA in April to work on Trump's re-election campaign.

April 12, 2019: Departed from SBA

On April 12, 2019, Linda McMahon departed from the SBA to work for President Trump's 2020 reelection efforts.

2019: Departure from the Small Business Administration

In 2019, Linda McMahon left her role as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

2020: Chaired pro-Trump Super PAC and America First Policy Institute

In 2020, Linda McMahon chaired America First Action, a pro-Trump Super PAC, and served as chair of the board for the America First Policy Institute.

2020: Worked for President Trump's reelection efforts

In 2020, Linda McMahon worked for President Trump's reelection efforts.

2021: Founding Chairwoman of America First Policy Institute

In 2021, Linda McMahon became the founding chairwoman of the America First Policy Institute.

November 19, 2024: Nomination for U.S. Secretary of Education

On November 19, 2024, Linda McMahon was nominated by President-elect Trump to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education.

January 20, 2025: Nomination received in U.S. Senate

On January 20, 2025, Linda McMahon's nomination was received in the U.S. Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).