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. She is the current U.S. Secretary of Education since 2025. Prior to this role, she served as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019. McMahon is also known for her prior career as a professional wrestling promoter. She is a member of the Republican Party.

Sections (4)

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

1976: Filed for Bankruptcy

In 1976, Linda McMahon and her husband filed for bankruptcy after a series of failed business ventures.

1989: Directed firing of on-call physician

In 1989, Linda McMahon directed Pat Patterson to fire on-call physician George Zahorian and inform him of imminent legal charges related to steroid distribution.

1992: Ring Boy Scandal

In 1992, the WWE ring boy scandal occurred, in which multiple WWE personnel either resigned or were dismissed after being accused of sexually assaulting young boys. This scandal later resulted in a lawsuit against Linda McMahon in October 2024.

2006: 75 Wrestlers Tested Positive for Drug Use

In 2006, documents stated that 75 WWE wrestlers, or approximately 40 percent, had tested positive for drug use, most commonly for steroids.

2007: Oversight Committee Investigated Steroid Usage

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

2009: Layoffs in WWE

In 2009, WWE laid off workers, which became a point of criticism during Linda McMahon's 2010 Senate campaign.

January 20, 2010: CBS Face the State Interview

On January 20, 2010, Linda McMahon was interviewed on CBS Face the State regarding the follow-up on steroid inquiries, stating that WWE had furnished thousands of documents and testimony.

2010: Criticism for Tax Credits and Layoffs during Senate campaign

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

2010: Lost Senate election

In 2010, Linda McMahon, running as a Republican, lost the general election for a Senate seat from Connecticut to Democrat Richard Blumenthal.

2010: "Tip-Off Memo" became public during Senate campaign

In 2010, during Linda McMahon's campaign for Senate, the 1989 memo directing the firing of a physician became known as the "Tip-Off Memo" and was used against her politically.

2012: Lost second Senate election

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

October 2024: Named as defendant in lawsuit

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. The lawsuit alleged the McMahons fostered a culture of sexual abuse within the WWE.

December 2024: Lawsuit Paused

In December 2024, a federal judge paused the lawsuit in which Linda McMahon was named as a defendant, pending the outcome of a legal challenge to a state law that could impact the case.