History of Linda McMahon in Timeline

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

October 4, 1948: Linda McMahon's birth

On October 4, 1948, Linda Marie Edwards (later McMahon) was born.

Others born on this day/year

August 26, 1966: Marriage to Vince McMahon

On August 26, 1966, Linda Edwards married Vince McMahon when she was 17 and he was 21.

1966: Enrolled at East Carolina University

In 1966, after marrying Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon enrolled at East Carolina University.

1968: Vince McMahon Worked as a Cup Salesman

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

1969: Graduated from East Carolina University

In 1969, Linda McMahon stated on a vetting questionnaire that she graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in education. However, her degree was actually in French.

1969: Moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland

In 1969, the McMahons moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland. Linda worked as a receptionist at a corporate law firm, translated documents, trained as a paralegal, and studied intellectual property rights.

1970: Birth of son Shane McMahon

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

1976: Filed for Bankruptcy

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

1976: Birth of daughter Stephanie McMahon

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

1979: Vince decided to start promoting wrestling events

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

1980: Co-founded Titan Sports, Inc.

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

1983: Moved to Greenwich, Connecticut

In 1983, the McMahons moved to Greenwich, Connecticut.

1984: Established first line of action figures, Wrestling Superstars

In 1984, Linda McMahon established the company's first line of action figures, "Wrestling Superstars".

1986: Began Supporting Special Olympics

In 1986, The McMahons began supporting the Special Olympics.

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.

1993: Became president of Titan Sports, Inc.

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

1995: Appointed to the Governor's Council for the World Special Olympics

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

1997: Became CEO of Titan Sports, Inc.

In 1997, Linda McMahon became 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 Raw during the Attitude Era.

August 2000: Launched 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: Fewer than half of US states regulated wrestling industry

By 2000, after extensive lobbying efforts, fewer than half of the 50 states had athletic regulations on the wrestling industry.

2000: Negotiated TV deal with Viacom

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

2000: Know Your Role poster was the highest-selling

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: Joined Board of Trustees of Sacred Heart University

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

2005: Appointed to The Make-A-Wish Foundation

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: 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.

2006: $2.5 million paid for tennis facility construction

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

2006: Distributed thousands of posters featuring WWE superstars

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

January 29, 2007: Named "Wonder Woman" by Multichannel News

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

May 2007: Keynote speaker at Girl Scout Council 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: 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.

2007: Received USO 'Legacy of Hope' and Secretary of Defense awards

In 2007, WWE received the USO of Metropolitan Washington's "Legacy of Hope" award and the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award for its support of U.S. troops.

2007: Donated to Donald J. Trump Foundation

In 2007, after Donald Trump appeared at WrestleMania 23, the McMahons donated $5 million to the Donald J. Trump Foundation in addition to the payment for the appearance.

2007: $4 million donation to Donald J. Trump Foundation

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

July 2008: WWE changed TV parental guidelines rating

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

December 2008: McMahon described the new rating as a marketing strategy

In December 2008, at a UBS Media Conference, Linda McMahon described WWE changing the TV parental guidelines rating from TV-14 to TV-PG as a marketing strategy to attract a young generation of wrestling fans and create loyalty to the brand.

2008: Partnerships with Rock the Vote for online registrations

During the 2008 presidential election, Smackdown Your Vote! registered many voters online, often in affiliation with Rock the Vote.

2008: Received GI Film Festival's Corporate Patriot Award

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

2008: $8 million in donations

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: Resigned as CEO of WWE

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

2009: Left World Wrestling Entertainment

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

2009: Sat on Connecticut Board of Education

In 2009, Linda McMahon sat on the Connecticut Board of Education for one year. She stated she had a lifelong interest in education and once planned to become a teacher.

2009: Layoffs in WWE

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

2009: $5 million donation to Donald J. Trump Foundation

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

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.

April 1, 2010: Resigned from State Board of Education

On April 1, 2010, Linda McMahon resigned from the State Board of Education. This was in response to a state election commission's legal opinion that disallowed board members from soliciting campaign contributions. She had entered the race for U.S. Senate months earlier.

2010: Served on the board of the 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.

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.

September 20, 2011: Officially Announced Candidacy

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

April 13, 2012: Sacred Heart University dedicated 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.

May 18, 2012: Earned Republican Party Endorsement

On May 18, 2012, at the Connecticut State Republican Convention, Linda McMahon earned the endorsement of the state Republican Party with a delegate vote of 658 to 351 over Chris Shays.

August 14, 2012: Defeated Chris Shays in Primary

On August 14, 2012, Linda McMahon defeated Chris Shays by a three-to-one margin in the Republican primary, spending $15.7 million of her money on the campaign.

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.

2012: Hinted at Running Again for Senate

In 2012, immediately after her loss to Blumenthal, Linda McMahon hinted she would run again for Senate. She maintained a high profile following the election and became the Republican Party favorite when Joe Lieberman announced his retirement.

2015: Attended Republican Donors Meeting

In 2015, Linda McMahon attended a daylong meeting near Jackson, Wyoming, with other donors and prospective political candidates. The meeting was hosted by Joe Ricketts and his son Todd and featured Republican donors who favored same-sex marriage and immigration reform.

2015: Donated to Future 45

In 2015, Linda McMahon donated $1.2 million to Future 45, a Super PAC which funded anti-Bernie Sanders advertisements; McMahon contributed additional funds to this group in 2016.

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

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

2016: Attended Republican Donors Meeting

In 2016, Linda McMahon attended a daylong meeting near Jackson, Wyoming, with other donors and prospective political candidates. The meeting was hosted by Joe Ricketts and his son Todd and featured Republican donors who favored same-sex marriage and immigration reform.

2016: Donated to Rebuilding America Now

In 2016, Linda McMahon donated $6 million to Rebuilding America Now, a Super PAC with the purpose of electing Donald Trump as US president.

January 24, 2017: Confirmation Hearing

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

February 14, 2017: Confirmation and Swearing-in as Administrator of the Small Business Administration

On February 14, 2017, Linda McMahon was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn in as the 25th Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

2017: Administrator of the Small Business Administration

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

2017: Visited 68 Cities

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

January 29, 2018: First Anniversary as Head of SBA

On January 29, 2018, The Washington Post said the SBA's progress under Linda McMahon had been "so far, so good", crediting her with improving the SBA's offices' emergency call centers and revamping the administration's online presence on her first anniversary as head of the SBA.

March 29, 2019: Announcement of resignation from the Small Business Administration

On March 29, 2019, the Trump administration announced that Linda McMahon would step down as the administrator of the Small Business Administration.

April 12, 2019: Resignation to work on Trump's re-election campaign

On April 12, 2019, Linda McMahon officially stepped down to work on President Trump's upcoming re-election campaign.

2019: End of term as Administrator of the Small Business Administration

In 2019, Linda McMahon ended her term as Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

2020: Helped Raise Funds for Trump's Reelection Campaign

In 2020, America First Action, a pro-Trump Super PAC chaired by Linda McMahon, helped raise $83 million for Trump's reelection campaign. McMahon also serves as chair of the board for the America First Policy Institute and later joined Howard Lutnick as co-chair of Trump's second transition team.

2020: Worked for Trump's Reelection Efforts

In 2020, after departing from the SBA in 2019, Linda McMahon worked for President Trump's reelection efforts. She went on to become the founding chairperson of the America First Policy Institute.

2021: Founding chairwoman of America First Policy Institute

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

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.

November 19, 2024: Nomination 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 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.

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).

February 13, 2025: Nomination Hearing Scheduled

On February 13, 2025, the nomination hearing for Linda McMahon was scheduled before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).