Linda Marie McMahon is a prominent figure in American politics, business, and professional wrestling. She achieved significant success as a business executive, co-founding and growing World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with her husband, Vince McMahon, into a global entertainment empire. Transitioning into the political sphere, McMahon served as the 25th Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019. In this role, she advocated for small businesses, promoted entrepreneurship, and worked to streamline regulations. Prior to her government service, McMahon made two unsuccessful bids for a U.S. Senate seat representing Connecticut. Her diverse career reflects her entrepreneurial spirit and involvement in both the private and public sectors.
October 4, 1948: Birth of Linda McMahon
Linda Marie McMahon (née Edwards) was born on October 4, 1948.
August 26, 1966: Marriage to Vince McMahon
Linda Edwards married Vince McMahon on August 26, 1966.
1968: Begins Studies at East Carolina University
Linda McMahon enrolled at East Carolina University in 1968.
1969: Moves to Gaithersburg and Works at Law Firm
In 1969, the McMahons moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland, where Linda worked as a receptionist at the corporate law firm of Covington & Burling.
1970: Birth of Shane McMahon
Linda and Vince McMahon's son, Shane, was born in 1970.
1971: Vince McMahon joins WWWF
Vince McMahon joined his father's company, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE), in 1971.
1976: Files for Bankruptcy
Linda and Vince McMahon filed for bankruptcy in 1976.
1976: Birth of Stephanie McMahon
Linda and Vince McMahon's daughter, Stephanie, was born in 1976.
1979: Starts Promoting Wrestling Events
Vince McMahon began promoting wrestling events at the Cape Cod Coliseum in 1979.
1980: Founds Titan Sports, Inc.
Vince McMahon founded Titan Sports, Inc. in 1980.
1980: Co-founds Titan Sports, Inc.
Linda McMahon co-founded Titan Sports, Inc. in 1980.
1980: Co-founds Titan Sports, Inc.
Linda McMahon co-founded Titan Sports, Inc. (later WWE) with her husband Vince McMahon in 1980.
1982: Purchases Capitol Wrestling
Vince McMahon's Titan Sports, Inc. purchased Capitol Wrestling (WWF) in 1982.
1983: Moves to Greenwich, Connecticut
The McMahons moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1983.
1984: Establishes WWE's First Line of Action Figures
Linda McMahon established WWE's first line of action figures, Wrestling Superstars, in 1984.
1986: McMahons Begin Supporting Special Olympics
The McMahons began supporting the Special Olympics in 1986.
1988: Mel Phillips Dismissed and Rehired
WWE ring announcer Mel Phillips was dismissed in 1988 for sexual misconduct but rehired weeks later under conditions.
1989: The "Tip-Off Memo"
In 1989, Linda McMahon directed the firing of physician George Zahorian over steroid distribution charges.
1992: WWE "Ring Boys" Scandal
In 1992, multiple WWE personnel resigned or were dismissed following accusations of sexually assaulting young boys, an event known as the "ring boys" scandal.
1993: Becomes President of WWE
Linda McMahon became president of WWE (then WWF) in 1993.
1995: Linda McMahon Appointed to Governor's Council for World Special Olympics
In 1995, Governor Weicker appointed Linda McMahon to the Governor's Council for the World Special Olympics.
1997: Becomes CEO of WWE
Linda McMahon became CEO of WWE in 1997.
May 3, 1999: Linda McMahon's WWF TV Debut
On May 3, 1999, Linda McMahon debuted on WWF TV during the Corporate Ministry storyline.
August 2000: WWE Launches "SmackDown! Your Vote" Campaign
In August 2000, McMahon initiated WWE's non-partisan voter registration campaign, "SmackDown! Your Vote".
2000: WWF's Success in Deregulation
By 2000, the WWF's lobbying efforts resulted in fewer than half of the 50 states having athletic regulations on the wrestling industry.
2000: Launch of WWE's Get R.E.A.L. Program
Linda McMahon launched WWE's Get R.E.A.L. program in 2000 to promote education among young adults.
2000: Negotiates TV Deal with Viacom
Linda McMahon negotiated WWE's 2000 TV deal with Viacom.
November 2004: Linda McMahon Joins Sacred Heart University Board
Linda McMahon became a member of the board of trustees of Sacred Heart University in November 2004.
2005: Linda McMahon's Appointment to Make-A-Wish Foundation and Receipt of Sackler Award
In 2005, Linda McMahon was appointed to The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America National Advisory Council and received the Arthur M. Sackler Award.
2006: Distribution of WWE Posters to Libraries
Since 2006, thousands of posters featuring WWE superstars have been distributed to libraries and reading facilities.
2006: McMahons' Funding of Tennis Facility
In 2006, the McMahons paid $2.5 million for the construction of a tennis facility in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.
2006: WWE Wrestlers Test Positive for Drug Use
Documents revealed that 75 WWE wrestlers tested positive for drug use, mostly steroids, since 2006.
January 29, 2007: Linda McMahon Named a "Wonder Woman"
On January 29, 2007, Multichannel News named Linda McMahon to its class of "Wonder Women" for her contributions to the cable and telecommunications industries.
May 2007: Linda McMahon's Keynote Address at Girl Scout Event
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: McMahons Donate to Trump Foundation After WrestleMania 23
After Donald Trump's appearance at WrestleMania 23 in 2007, the McMahons donated $5 million to the Donald J. Trump Foundation.
2007: Chris Benoit Murder-Suicide and Steroid Investigation
Following the Chris Benoit incident in 2007, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee investigated steroid usage in the wrestling industry, including WWE.
2007: WWE Receives "Legacy of Hope" Award
In 2007, WWE received the USO of Metropolitan Washington's first ever "Legacy of Hope" award.
2007: McMahons' Donations to Trump Foundation and Other Organizations
In 2007, the McMahons donated $4 million to The Donald J. Trump Foundation.
July 2008: WWE Changes TV Rating to TV-PG
WWE changed its TV parental guidelines rating from TV-14 to TV-PG in July 2008.
December 2008: TV-PG Rating as Marketing Strategy
In December 2008, Linda McMahon described the new TV-PG rating as a marketing strategy.
2008: WWE Receives Corporate Patriot Award
In 2008, WWE received the GI Film Festival's Corporate Patriot Award.
2008: McMahons' Donations to Educational Institutions
In 2008, the McMahons donated over $8 million to the Fishburne Military School, Sacred Heart University, and East Carolina University.
2008: "SmackDown! Your Vote" Campaign Continues
During the 2008 presidential election, Smackdown your Vote! registered many voters online.
January 2009: Linda McMahon Appointed to State Board of Education
McMahon was appointed to the State Board of Education by Governor Jodi Rell in January 2009.
September 16, 2009: Resigns as CEO of WWE to Run for Senate
On September 16, 2009, Linda McMahon resigned from her position as CEO of WWE to run for a US Senate seat.
2009: WWE Layoffs
In 2009, WWE laid off workers, a move that later drew criticism during McMahon's 2010 campaign.
2009: McMahons' Donations to Trump Foundation and Other Organizations
In 2009, the McMahons donated $5 million to The Donald J. Trump Foundation.
2009: Runs for US Senate
Linda McMahon left WWE in 2009 to run for a seat in the United States Senate from Connecticut.
2009: Resigns as CEO of WWE
Linda McMahon resigned as CEO of WWE in 2009.
January 20, 2010: Interview on CBS Face the State
On January 20, 2010, Linda McMahon responded to questions about the lack of follow-up on the steroid investigation on CBS Face the State.
April 1, 2010: Linda McMahon Resigns from State Board of Education
On April 1, 2010, McMahon resigned from the State Board of Education due to state law regarding campaign contributions.
2010: Linda McMahon's Service on the Close Up Foundation Board
As of 2010, Linda McMahon served on the board of the Close Up Foundation.
2010: Blumenthal's Criticism of WWE Tax Credits
During her 2010 campaign, Linda McMahon was criticized by Blumenthal's campaign for accepting tax credits while laying off workers in 2009.
2010: Loses Senate Election
Linda McMahon lost the Connecticut Senate election to Democrat Richard Blumenthal in 2010.
2010: "Tip-Off Memo" Becomes Public
The "Tip-Off Memo" became public during Linda McMahon's 2010 Senate campaign.
September 20, 2011: Linda McMahon Announces 2012 Senate Candidacy
On September 20, 2011, McMahon officially announced her candidacy for the 2012 Senate election.
April 13, 2012: Dedication of Linda E. McMahon Commons Building
On April 13, 2012, Sacred Heart University dedicated and opened the Linda E. McMahon Commons Building.
May 18, 2012: Linda McMahon Earns Republican Party Endorsement
McMahon earned the endorsement of the state Republican Party on May 18, 2012.
August 14, 2012: Linda McMahon Wins Republican Primary
McMahon won the Republican primary on August 14, 2012.
2012: Second Senate Run
Linda McMahon was the Republican nominee for Connecticut's other Senate seat in the 2012 race.
2012: Linda McMahon Considered for 2012 Senate Run
After her loss in 2010, Linda McMahon was considered a favorite for the 2012 Senate election.
2012: Senate Confirmation Preparation and Economic Plan
In 2012, as Linda McMahon's nomination for SBA administrator was pending, her economic plan, which included eliminating ineffective programs and supporting a proposal to merge the SBA with other entities, came under scrutiny during preparations for her Senate confirmation.
2015: Linda McMahon Donates to Anti-Sanders Super PAC
In 2015 and 2016, McMahon donated $1.2 million to Future 45, a Super PAC which funded anti-Bernie Sanders advertisements.
2015: Meeting of Republican Donors
In early 2015, McMahon, Singer, and Charles R. Schwab were among donors and prospective-candidate representatives who attended a daylong meeting near Jackson, Wyoming, that was hosted by TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts and his son Todd, and featured "several Republican donors who favor[ed] same-sex marriage and immigration reform".
December 7, 2016: Nominated for Small Business Administration Administrator
On December 7, 2016, Donald Trump nominated Linda McMahon to be the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
2016: Meeting of Republican Donors
In 2016, McMahon attended a meeting of Republican donors hosted by Joe Ricketts.
2016: Linda McMahon Donates to Pro-Trump Super PAC
In 2016, McMahon donated $6 million to Rebuilding America Now, a Super PAC supporting Donald Trump's presidential campaign.
January 24, 2017: Senate Confirmation Hearing
Linda McMahon's Senate confirmation hearing for the Small Business Administration Administrator role began on January 24, 2017.
June 17, 2017: McMahon Discusses SBA Goals and Challenges
On June 17, 2017, Linda McMahon, as SBA administrator, discussed the agency's main goals, including capital, counseling, contracts, and disaster relief. She also highlighted the challenges posed by budget cuts and the need for restructuring and merging duplicative programs.
2017: Appointment as Administrator of the Small Business Administration
Linda McMahon began serving as the 25th Administrator of the Small Business Administration in 2017.
2017: McMahon Supports Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
During 2017, Linda McMahon visited numerous cities to gather feedback from small business owners and advocate for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
January 29, 2018: McMahon's First Anniversary as SBA Head
On January 29, 2018, The Washington Post assessed Linda McMahon's first year as head of the SBA positively, noting improvements in emergency call centers after Hurricane Harvey, increased staffing, and a revamped online presence.
March 29, 2019: Resignation Announcement
On March 29, 2019, it was announced that Linda McMahon would step down as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
April 12, 2019: McMahon Resigns from SBA
On April 12, 2019, Linda McMahon resigned from her position as administrator of the SBA to chair America First Action, a pro-Trump Super PAC.
2019: Leaked Vetting Document
In 2019, a leaked vetting document from Trump's transition team identified the "ring boys" scandal as a potential concern regarding Linda McMahon's appointment.
2019: Resignation from the Small Business Administration
Linda McMahon stepped down as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration in 2019.
2020: McMahon Chairs America First Action
In 2020, Linda McMahon chaired America First Action, a pro-Trump Super PAC, which helped raise funds for Trump's reelection campaign. She also chaired the board for America First Policy Institute.
October 2024: McMahon Named in Lawsuit
In October 2024, Linda McMahon was named as a defendant in a negligence lawsuit related to the WWE "ring boys" scandal, along with allegations of fostering a culture of sexual abuse within the organization.
2025: McMahon Co-Chairs Trump's Transition Team
In 2025, Linda McMahon co-chaired Donald Trump's transition team and secured a nomination for Secretary of Education.