Dana Perino, the well-known Fox News host and former White House Press Secretary, is mourning the death of her father, Leo Perino, who passed away at the age of 79 in Denver, Colorado.
The news was shared on the June 1 edition of Fox News’ America’s Newsroom, where Dana was conspicuously absent from her usual seat. No cause of death has been made public, and Dana has not yet released any personal statement regarding her father’s passing.
Greg Gutfeld later took a moment on The Five to honor Leo, sharing memories of his life and what he meant to the people around him.
Viewers and fans of Dana’s shows flooded social media with messages of sympathy, with many calling Leo a man who clearly raised his daughters well.
The loss came at a particularly bittersweet moment for Dana, who had just announced her debut novel, Purple State. The timing of her father’s death is expected to impact her upcoming promotional appearances for the book.
The Denver Man Who Raised a Television Star
Leo Perino was widely respected in Denver, Colorado, where he spent the greater part of his life as a civic activist. He dedicated himself to neighborhood improvement and community development, becoming a recognizable and trusted figure in the city.
Beyond his activism, Leo also had a background in broadcasting and reportedly worked as a country music DJ at one point in his earlier years.
Those who knew Dana’s story understood how central Leo was to her growth as a journalist and television personality. Dana has spoken in interviews about how her father engaged her in political conversations from a young age, planting the seeds of a career that would eventually take her to the White House and beyond. His influence on her professional life was not subtle. It was foundational.
Leo is survived by his wife, Jan Perino, who was raised in Rawlins, Wyoming, and built a quiet but meaningful life dedicated to community service and volunteerism.
Jan once described her greatest achievement not as her professional work but as raising two daughters who went on to make a difference in the world. That pride in her daughters was something she and Leo clearly shared.
Dana’s sister, Angie Machock, is an artist whose work has been praised by Fox and Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt. Angie is married to a man named Ben and has kept a relatively private life compared to her sister.
Dana herself is married to Peter McMahon, a British-born international businessman she met on a plane in 1997. The couple famously described their connection as love at first flight. Leo reportedly approved of Peter from the beginning, telling Dana that an older, steadier partner was exactly what she needed.
As Denver mourns one of its own and Fox News viewers rally around Dana during this painful time, Leo Perino leaves behind a family that reflects everything he stood for: hard work, community, and love.
