Fox News host and former White House press secretary Dana Perino is mourning the death of her father, Leo Perino, who passed away at the age of 79. News of his passing has prompted an outpouring of sympathy from viewers, colleagues, and friends, many recognizing the profound influence he had on one of America’s most familiar television personalities.
Although Dana Perino built a successful career in Washington and later became a leading voice on Fox News, she has often said that the values guiding her life were shaped long before she entered politics or television. At the center of those lessons were her parents, Leo and Jan Perino, whose commitment to family, service, and community left a lasting impression on their daughters.
Leo Perino spent much of his life in the Denver area, where he was known for his involvement in civic projects and local community initiatives. Together with his wife, Jan, he raised Dana and her sister, Angie, in a home that emphasized integrity, compassion, and a strong work ethic.
Throughout the years, Dana has repeatedly credited her parents with helping her remain grounded despite the pressures of public life. Whether serving as White House press secretary under President George W. Bush or later becoming a co-host of The Five, she has often reflected on the importance of the example they set.
Jan Perino also devoted much of her life to serving others. Raised in Rawlins, Wyoming, she became actively involved in volunteer work and nonprofit organizations, including Lutheran Family Services. In a past interview, she described helping others as one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life, while making it clear that raising her daughters remained her greatest achievement.
“My favorite job was raising two daughters to be professional, compassionate women who are making a difference in the world,” she once said.
She also believed community service should be a family effort, encouraging her children to volunteer from a young age.
“Families who volunteer together stick together,” she explained, reflecting on the values she hoped to pass on to the next generation.
Those early lessons helped shape Dana’s remarkable career. After beginning her professional journey in Washington, D.C., she went on to become White House press secretary before transitioning into broadcasting, where she has spent years covering politics and current affairs for Fox News.
Away from television, Dana has frequently spoken about the support she receives from her husband, Peter McMahon. The couple first met in 1997 while seated next to each other on a flight shortly after Dana began working on Capitol Hill. What started as a casual conversation quickly developed into a lifelong partnership.
Recalling their first meeting, Dana once joked, “We call it love at first flight.”
Despite the couple’s 12-year age difference, Dana has shared that her father immediately approved of the relationship. She later revealed that Leo believed an older partner suited her personality because she had always been mature, independent, and determined to achieve her goals.
Throughout her career, McMahon has remained one of her strongest supporters. Dana has affectionately referred to him as “the wizard behind the curtain,” praising his advice, particularly on international affairs, and acknowledging the important role he has played behind the scenes.
The Perino family also includes Dana’s sister, Angie Machock, an accomplished artist whose work has earned admiration from family members, friends, and television personalities alike. Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt has publicly praised Angie’s artistic talent after receiving one of her paintings.
As condolences continue to pour in following Leo Perino’s passing, many are remembering not only the father of a prominent television host, but also a man whose values of service, humility, and dedication helped shape the life of one of America’s best-known political commentators.
For Dana Perino, the loss is deeply personal. Yet the lessons her father instilled—hard work, compassion, and commitment to others—remain a lasting part of the legacy he leaves behind.
