History of Linda McMahon in Timeline

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

October 4, 1948: Linda McMahon Born

On October 4, 1948, Linda Marie Edwards (later McMahon) was born. She would become a business executive, politician, and wrestling executive, later serving as the U.S. Secretary of Education.

Others born on this day/year

August 26, 1966: Marriage to Vince McMahon

On August 26, 1966, Linda Edwards, at age 17, married Vince McMahon, who was 21.

1966: Enrolls at East Carolina University

In 1966, Linda McMahon enrolled at East Carolina University to pursue a bachelor's degree in French to become a teacher.

1968: Vince McMahon Works as Traveling Cup Salesman

From 1968 to 1971, Vince McMahon worked as a traveling cup salesman before joining his father's company.

1969: McMahons Move to Gaithersburg, Maryland

In 1969, the McMahons relocated to Gaithersburg, Maryland. Linda McMahon then worked at a corporate law firm as a receptionist and in other legal roles.

1970: Birth of Son Shane McMahon

In 1970, Linda and Vince McMahon's son, Shane McMahon, was born.

1971: Vince McMahon Joins WWWF

From 1968 to 1971, Vince McMahon worked as a traveling cup salesman before joining his father's company, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF).

1976: Birth of Daughter Stephanie McMahon

In 1976, Linda and Vince McMahon's daughter, Stephanie McMahon, was born.

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.

1979: Starts Promoting Wrestling Events

In 1979, Vince McMahon started promoting wrestling events at the Cape Cod Coliseum.

1980: Founds Titan Sports, Inc.

In 1980, Linda McMahon, with her husband Vince McMahon, founded Titan Sports, Inc., which later became World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. She served as president and later CEO.

1983: McMahons Move to Greenwich, Connecticut

In 1983, the McMahons moved to Greenwich, Connecticut.

1984: Introduces Wrestling Superstars Action Figures

In 1984, Linda McMahon established the company's first line of action figures, Wrestling Superstars. It was a first in the wrestling industry and helped expand the company's popularity with children.

1986: Support for Special Olympics Begins

In 1986, the McMahons began supporting the Special Olympics.

December 1989: Linda McMahon memo

In December 1989 Linda McMahon sent a memo regarding a company matter.

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.

1993: Becomes President of Titan Sports, Inc.

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

1995: Appointment to Governor's Council for World Special Olympics

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

1997: Becomes 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.

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August 2000: Initiation 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.

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

In 2000, Linda McMahon launched WWE's Get R.E.A.L. program to promote education among young adults, including public service announcements and posters.

2000: Negotiates TV Deal with Viacom

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

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

In 2005, Linda McMahon won appointment to The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America National Advisory Council.

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.

2006: Donation for Tennis Facility Construction

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

2006: Posters Distributed to Libraries and Reading Facilities

Since 2006, thousands of posters featuring WWE superstars have been distributed to libraries and reading facilities as part of the Get R.E.A.L. program.

January 29, 2007: Named to "Wonder Women" List

On January 29, 2007, Multichannel News named Linda McMahon to its class of "Wonder Women" for her contributions to cable and telecommunications.

May 2007: Keynote Speaker at Girl Scout Event

In May 2007, Linda McMahon was 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.

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.

2007: Donation to the Donald J. Trump Foundation

In 2007, the McMahons, through WWE, donated $4 million to the Donald J. Trump Foundation.

July 2008: WWE Changes TV Rating to TV-PG

In July 2008, WWE changed its TV parental guidelines rating from TV-14 to TV-PG.

December 2008: Describes TV-PG Rating as Marketing Strategy

In December 2008, at a UBS Media Conference, Linda McMahon described the WWE's new TV-PG rating as a marketing strategy to attract younger fans and build brand loyalty, resulting in banning actions such as chair shots to the head and reducing explicit content.

2008: "Smackdown Your Vote!" Campaign

As of the 2008 election, WWE's "Smackdown your Vote!" listed 14 voter registration partner organizations. During the 2008 presidential election, it 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 under Linda McMahon's leadership.

2008: Donations to Educational Institutions

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

September 16, 2009: Resigns from WWE to Run for Senate

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: 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.

2009: Leaves WWE to Run for Senate

In 2009, Linda McMahon left World Wrestling Entertainment to run as a Republican for a seat in the United States Senate from Connecticut.

2009: Additional Donation to the Donald J. Trump Foundation

In 2009, the McMahons, through WWE, donated an additional $5 million to the Donald J. Trump Foundation.

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: Serves on Board of Close Up Foundation

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

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.

April 13, 2012: Dedication of Linda E. McMahon Commons Building

On April 13, 2012, Sacred Heart University officially dedicated and opened the Linda E. McMahon Commons Building on its main campus in Fairfield, Connecticut.

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.

December 7, 2016: Nominated as 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.

February 14, 2017: Confirmed as Administrator of the Small Business Administration

On February 14, 2017, Linda McMahon was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

2017: Administrator of the Small Business Administration

In 2017, Linda McMahon became the 25th administrator of the Small Business Administration.

March 29, 2019: Announcement of Resignation as SBA Administrator

On March 29, 2019, it was announced that Linda McMahon would step down as the administrator of the SBA in April.

2019: Leaves the Small Business Administration

In 2019, Linda McMahon concluded her tenure as the administrator of the Small Business Administration.

2021: Founding Chairwoman of America First Policy Institute

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

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.

November 19, 2024: Nominated as U.S. Secretary of Education

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

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.

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).