In an Unexpected Twist, the Fox News Star and Peter McMahon Welcome a Newborn Son Through Adoption – “We Never Thought We’d Be Parents Again,” Perino Shares Amid Outpouring of Love
In an unexpected twist that has left their friends, family, and fans utterly speechless, Fox News anchor Dana Perino and her husband of 25 years, Peter McMahon, have revealed they’ve become parents once again – this time through the adoption of a newborn son. The 53-year-old co-host of The Five and America’s Newsroom, known for her sharp wit and poised demeanor, broke the joyous news on her Instagram Monday morning with a simple black-and-white photo of the couple cradling their new addition in a hospital room. “We never thought we’d be parents again,” Perino captioned the post, which has already garnered 1.2 million likes and flooded social media with an outpouring of love and excitement. What prompted this shocking decision, and what does it mean for their growing family? The story behind this heartwarming reveal is one of quiet reflection, renewed hope, and a journey that has the nation celebrating alongside the Perinos.
Dana and Peter, married since 1998 after meeting on a flight to Chicago (he was a British businessman, she a young congressional aide), have long been open about their infertility struggles. They welcomed their daughter Jasper, now 16, through adoption in 2009, a process Dana detailed in her 2021 memoir Everything Will Be Okay. “Adoption was our miracle,” she wrote then, crediting it with strengthening their bond and giving them “a purpose bigger than ourselves.” For years, the couple seemed content with their family of three, focusing on Jasper’s horseback riding passions and Dana’s rising career at Fox, where she became a fixture after joining in 2009.
The surprise announcement came after months of speculation about Dana’s “maternity leave” – a term she playfully used in a Fox & Friends segment in October to discuss work-life balance. “Peter and I have been praying on this for a long time,” Dana shared in a follow-up People interview, her voice soft but eyes sparkling. “When the call came from the adoption agency about a baby boy in need of a home, it felt like fate. We said yes without hesitation.” The couple named their son Theodore James McMahon, or “Theo,” after Peter’s late father and Dana’s middle name. “He’s our little bridge between worlds,” Peter, 71, added, beaming in the photo as he holds the bundled infant.
The reveal has ignited a wave of joy. #PerinoBabyBoy trended with 1.8 million posts, fans gushing: “Dana, you’ve given us hope – adoption is magic!” and “From policy wonk to mom of two – you’re a queen!” Celebrities rallied: Jesse Watters posted, “The Perino-McMahon clan grows stronger – congrats!” while Ainsley Earhardt shared, “Our Fox family just got cuter!”
Dana’s journey to motherhood has been one of grace under pressure. Infertility treatments in the early 2000s strained their marriage, but adoption brought Jasper – a spirited equestrian now competing at nationals. “She taught us to love without limits,” Dana said. Theo’s arrival, through a private adoption agency in Texas, was swift: a birth mother choosing the couple after reading Dana’s book. “We were terrified at our age, but joy won,” Peter said.
As Dana takes three months’ leave from The Five, one thing’s clear: this “shocking decision” is pure Perino – thoughtful, resilient, and full of love. From White House press briefings to baby bottles, Dana’s story inspires: family isn’t planned – it’s embraced.
