Challenges in the Life of Linda McMahon in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Linda McMahon faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Linda McMahon is an American politician and business executive. A Republican, she served as the 25th Administrator of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019. Since 2025, she has held the position of the 13th United States Secretary of Education. Before her political career, McMahon was a prominent figure in the professional wrestling industry.

Sections (4)

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

1976: Filing for Bankruptcy

In 1976, after business failures including financing Evel Knievel's Snake River Canyon Jump, Linda McMahon and her husband filed for bankruptcy while she was pregnant with Stephanie.

1989: Directs Firing of Physician

In 1989, Linda McMahon directed Pat Patterson, WWE's vice president, to fire on-call physician George Zahorian and inform him of imminent legal charges regarding steroid distribution.

2006: Wrestlers Test Positive for Drug Use

Documents from a 2007 investigation revealed that 75 WWE wrestlers had tested positive for drug use since 2006.

2007: Congressional Investigation into Steroid Use

In 2007, following the murder-suicide of Chris Benoit, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee investigated steroid usage in the wrestling industry, including WWE. The McMahons testified.

2009: Criticism for Layoffs After Accepting Tax Credits

During her 2010 campaign, Linda McMahon and WWE were criticized for accepting tax credits in 2009 while simultaneously laying off workers.

January 20, 2010: CBS Interview on Drug Policy Follow-Up

On January 20, 2010, Linda McMahon was interviewed on CBS Face the State and addressed questions about the lack of follow-up on steroid inquiries, stating that WWE had furnished extensive documentation and believed its policy would be deemed satisfactory upon review.

2010: Criticized for accepting tax credits

During Linda McMahon's 2010 campaign, Blumenthal's campaign criticized her and WWE for accepting the tax credits while laying off workers in 2009.

2010: Loses Senate Election

In 2010, Linda McMahon lost the general election for a seat in the United States Senate to Democrat Richard Blumenthal.

2010: "Tip-Off Memo" Becomes Public

In 2010, during Linda McMahon's campaign for Senate, the 1989 memo regarding the firing of a physician accused of steroid distribution became known publicly as the "Tip-Off Memo", becoming a political liability.

2012: Loses Second Senate Election

In 2012, Linda McMahon, as the Republican nominee, lost the election for Connecticut's other Senate seat to Democrat Chris Murphy.

October 2024: Lawsuit Accusing Negligence in Ring Boy Scandal

In October 2024, Linda McMahon was named as a defendant in a lawsuit accusing her, her husband, and the WWE of negligence regarding the ring boy scandal.

December 2024: Lawsuit Paused

In December 2024, a federal judge paused the lawsuit against Linda McMahon, her husband, and the WWE, pending the outcome of a legal challenge to a state law.