Linda Marie McMahon born October 4, 1948 is an American business executive, political figure, and former professional wrestler. She served as the 25th Administrator of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019. Along with her husband, Vince McMahon, Linda co-founded Titan Sports, Inc. (later renamed World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.), where she held key roles, including president and CEO, from 1980 to 2009. Under her leadership, the company expanded from a regional operation in the Northeast to a global entertainment giant. She also spearheaded community initiatives like the Get R.E.A.L. program and SmackDown! Your Vote. Additionally, Linda made occasional appearances on-screen, particularly in a notable storyline feud with her husband, which culminated in a match at WrestleMania X-Seven.
Linda McMahon Biography 2025
In 2009, Linda McMahon transitioned from WWE to run for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut as a Republican but was defeated by Democrat Richard Blumenthal in the 2010 election. She ran again for the Senate in 2012, this time for Connecticut’s other seat, but lost to Democrat Chris Murphy. In December 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate McMahon as Administrator of the Small Business Administration. After Senate confirmation in February 2017, she began her tenure as SBA Administrator. McMahon resigned from her position in March 2019 to take on new duties within Trump’s re-election campaign. She later became chairwoman of America First Action, a pro-Trump Super PAC. In November 2025, CNN reported that Trump was expected to nominate her as Secretary of Education.
Linda McMahon Biography Details
| Born |
Linda Marie Edwards
October 4, 1948 |
|---|---|
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Vince McMahon
(m. 1966) |
| Children |
|
| Relatives | McMahon family |
| Education | East Carolina University (BA) |
Linda McMahon Early Life
Linda McMahon was born Linda Marie Edwards in New Bern, North Carolina, to a Welsh-American family. She was the only child of Evelyn and Henry Edwards. Her parents worked at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, a military base. Raised in a conservative Baptist household, she later converted to Roman Catholicism.
At the age of 13, she met Vince McMahon, then 16, through their mothers, who worked in the same building. Vince, who had experienced a tumultuous family life with several abusive stepfathers, found stability and comfort in the Edwards household. Linda and Vince began dating in high school, with Linda attending Havelock High School and Vince attending Fishburne Military School in Virginia. Vince frequently spent time with Linda and her family during these years. Linda was an honors student, and while she initially aspired to become a pediatrician, she enrolled at East Carolina University in 1966 to study French and earn a teaching certification.
Shortly after graduating from high school, Vince proposed to Linda, and they married on August 26, 1966, when Linda was 17 and Vince was 21. Vince worked as a traveling cup salesman for a few years before joining his father’s company, the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Linda completed her degree in three years so she could graduate alongside Vince. They had their first child, son Shane, in 1970, and their daughter, Stephanie, was born in 1976.
Linda McMahon Bio
| Category | Facts |
| Full Name | Linda Marie Edwards McMahon |
| Date of Birth | October 4, 1948 |
| Place of Birth | New Bern, North Carolina |
| Ethnicity | Welsh-American |
| Parents | Evelyn and Henry Edwards |
| Early Interests | Sports (baseball, basketball) |
| Religious Background | Converted to Roman Catholicism |
| Husband | Vince McMahon |
| Children | Shane McMahon, Stephanie McMahon |
| Education | East Carolina University (BA in French) |
Professional Wrestling Involvement
| Position | Years |
| Company | World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) |
| Founding Year | 1980 |
| Role | Co-founder, President, CEO |
| Years Active | 1980 – 2009 |
| Wrestling Programs | Initiated civic programs like Get R.E.A.L. |
| On-Screen Roles | Played herself in storylines (e.g., WrestleMania X-Seven) |
| Significant Contributions | Built WWE’s merchandising strategy |
| Key Television Deal | Negotiated WWE’s 2000 TV deal with Viacom |
McMahon Senate Campaigns
| Election Year | Candidate | Outcome |
| 2010 Senate Election | Linda McMahon | Lost to Richard Blumenthal |
| 2012 Senate Election | Linda McMahon | Lost to Chris Murphy |
Linda McMahon Appointment to SBA
| Position | Points |
| Title | Administrator, Small Business Administration |
| Appointed By | President Donald Trump |
| Years in Office | 2017 – 2019 |
| Confirmation Vote | 81–19 in favor |
| Resignation | Stepped down in April 2019 to join Trump’s re-election campaign |
McMahon Charitable Contributions
| Organization | Contribution |
| Make-A-Wish Foundation | Active involvement in supporting wishes for children |
| Special Olympics | Started supporting in 1986 |
| USO | Contributed to USO’s Operation Care Package program |
| Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation | Donated to cancer research |
| Sacred Heart University | Donated $2.5 million for tennis facility construction |
Political Involvement
| Role | Years |
| State Board of Education | Appointed in 2009 |
| Senate Campaign | Republican nominee in 2010 and 2012 |
| Trump Administration | Co-chair of Trump’s 2025 Transition Team |
WWE Merchandise Strategy Under McMahon
| Merchandise Type | Details |
| Wrestling Action Figures | Launched WWE’s first line in 1984 |
| Merchandising Partnerships | Negotiated TV deals with major vendors |
| Revenue Streams | Increased revenue through toys, apparel, and video games |
WWE Political and Social Engagement
| Campaign/Program | Facts |
| Get R.E.A.L. Program | Encouraged literacy among youth |
| SmackDown! Your Vote | Registered 150,000 new voters in 2000 |
| Military Support | Active involvement with the USO and veterans’ initiatives |
WWE Transition to TV-PG Rating
| Action Taken | Details |
| TV Rating Change | Changed from TV-14 to TV-PG in 2008 |
| Banned Content | Discontinued chair shots, blood, and vulgar language |
| Marketing Strategy | Aimed to attract a younger audience |
McMahon Early Career Challenges
| Challenge | Points |
| Financial Struggles | Received food stamps in early years |
| Bankruptcy | Filed for bankruptcy in 1976 |
| Business Ventures | Struggled with several failed ventures before WWE |
WWE Media Rights Deals Under McMahon
| Deal | Details |
| Viacom TV Deal (2000) | Secured significant television rights for WWE |
| International Expansion | Expanded WWE’s presence in Europe and Asia |
Linda McMahon Role in WWE’s Global Growth
| Region | Information |
| North America | Dominated as the leading wrestling entertainment provider |
| Europe and Asia | Expanded audience through localized programming and events |
| Latin America | Increased viewership with Spanish-language broadcasts |
McMahon On-Screen WWE Feuds
| Feud Opponent | Details |
| Vince McMahon | Feuded with her husband during the Attitude Era |
| Key Event | WrestleMania X-Seven (2001) |
McMahon Political Support for Trump
| Role | Facts |
| Chairwoman of PAC | Led the America First Action PAC in 2019 |
| Support for Trump’s Campaigns | Active in fundraising and organizational efforts for Trump’s re-election |
Linda McMahon Legacy in WWE
| Legacy Aspect | Details |
| Industry Influence | Transformed WWE into a global entertainment company |
| Business Acumen | Pioneered merchandising and media rights deals |
| Philanthropy | Significant charitable contributions and programs |
Linda McMahon Net Worth
Linda McMahon’s net worth reaches $3.2 billion.
Linda McMahon Summary
Linda McMahon is a prominent American business executive, political figure, and philanthropist. She co-founded WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) with her husband, Vince McMahon, and served as its CEO for many years. She also held the position of Administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Donald Trump. McMahon ran for U.S. Senate in Connecticut in 2010 and 2012 but was unsuccessful. In 2025, reports indicate she may be nominated as the U.S. Secretary of Education.