Dana Perino Reveals the Secret to Keeping Her Marriage Alive with Peter McMahon – A Special Friday Night Ritual Involving Their Dog Henry

Dana Perino, the beloved Fox News anchor, co-host of The Five, and former White House Press Secretary, has captivated audiences with her poise and insight. Yet, it’s her enduring 27-year marriage to British businessman Peter McMahon that truly inspires fans. At 53, Perino shares a vibrant life with McMahon, 70, despite their 18-year age gap and the absence of biological children. In a recent interview with PEOPLE and on her podcast, A Dana Perino Podcast: Everything’s Going to Be Okay, Perino revealed the secret to their thriving marriage: a cherished Friday night ritual that began with their late dog, Henry, a Hungarian Vizsla, and continues to strengthen their bond. This ritual, filled with wine, reflection, and canine companionship, is a testament to their love and commitment.

A Love That Took Flight

Perino and McMahon’s story began in August 1997 on a flight from Denver to Chicago, where they were the last to board and found themselves seated together. Perino, then 25, was drawn to McMahon’s British accent, handsome demeanor, and lack of a wedding ring. Their two-and-a-half-hour conversation sparked a connection that led to a long-distance romance, with McMahon in England and Perino in Washington, D.C. Less than a year later, McMahon proposed outside the Washington National Cathedral, and Perino accepted with a heartfelt letter: “Yes, I will marry you.” They eloped in Blackpool, England, on September 30, 1998, and have since built a life in New York and Bay Head, New Jersey, filled with love, adventure, and their beloved dogs.

Their marriage has weathered significant changes, from Perino’s rise to White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush to her current role at Fox News. McMahon, a successful businessman and president of GreenSleeve Medical Corporation, has been her steadfast supporter, helping her navigate career challenges and offering strategic advice. Despite McMahon’s two children from a previous marriage, the couple chose not to have children together, instead finding fulfillment in their dogs—Henry, Jasper, and now Percy—and their shared passions. Perino has often said, “Our love is still full,” a sentiment that resonates in their unique Friday night ritual.

The Friday Night Ritual: A Toast to Love and Henry

Perino recently shared that the secret to their enduring marriage lies in a ritual they established early in their relationship, centered around their first dog, Henry, a Hungarian Vizsla who joined them in 1998. “Every Friday night, we have a special ritual,” Perino told PEOPLE. “It started with Henry, a bottle of wine, and a moment to reconnect, and it’s kept us grounded no matter what life throws at us.” The ritual, which continues in spirit with their current dog, Percy, is a blend of romance, reflection, and canine-inspired joy that Perino credits for keeping their marriage alive.

The ritual begins as the workweek winds down, with Perino and McMahon retreating to their cozy New Jersey home or New York apartment. They pour two glasses of red wine—often a Cabernet Sauvignon, a nod to their shared love of bold flavors—and settle into their living room, where a game table holds puzzles and memories of Henry. Henry, who lived from 1998 to 2012, was their “constant companion,” accompanying them through moves from England to San Diego, Washington, D.C., and New York. On Friday nights, they would sit with Henry at their feet, his warm presence a reminder of their shared journey.

The heart of the ritual is a conversation guided by a simple question: “What made us grateful this week?” Perino explained that Henry inspired this practice, as his unwavering loyalty and joy prompted them to focus on the positive. They would take turns sharing moments—big or small—while Henry, ever attentive, would nudge their hands or rest his head on their laps. “Henry had this way of making us laugh, even on tough days,” Perino said. “He’d steal a napkin or chase his tail, and suddenly we were reminded to stay connected.” The couple would then write their gratitudes in a shared journal, a keepsake now filled with entries about Henry’s antics, career milestones, and quiet moments of love.

Henry’s Lasting Legacy

Henry, named after King Henry VIII, was more than a pet—he was a witness to Perino’s transformation from a young professional to a confident media figure. When he passed away in 2012 at age 14, Perino and McMahon were devastated. Perino shared on Twitter, “Said good-bye today to #HenryVizsla. He had a wonderful 14 yrs & gave twice as much love as he got.” Yet, his influence endures in their Friday night ritual. “Henry taught us to be better people,” Perino recalled, echoing words of comfort from colleague Charles Krauthammer. The couple now includes Percy, their current Vizsla, in the ritual, but Henry’s memory remains central, with his collar displayed near their journal as a reminder of their early years together.

The ritual’s emotional depth was evident when Perino described a recent Friday night. “Peter wrote in the journal about a moment from 2007, when Henry stayed by my side during a tough White House briefing prep,” she said, her eyes misting. “Reading that, I realized how much those nights with Henry built our trust.” McMahon, known for his wit, often adds humorous entries, like the time Henry got McMahon arrested for walking him off-leash in Lincoln Park, a story immortalized in Perino’s book Let Me Tell You About Jasper…. The blend of laughter and vulnerability keeps their connection fresh.

A Marriage Strengthened by Ritual

The Friday night ritual has sustained Perino and McMahon through challenges, from the post-9/11 move to D.C. to Perino’s high-pressure White House years. “It’s our anchor,” Perino said on her podcast. “No matter how crazy the week, we know we have that moment to come back to each other.” The ritual also reflects their shared values—gratitude, humor, and a love for dogs. Fans on X have praised the couple’s story, with one user writing, “Dana and Peter’s ritual is goals—wine, dogs, and love every Friday!” Another commented, “Henry’s legacy lives on in their marriage—so beautiful.”

As Perino continues to shine on The Five and America’s Newsroom, her marriage to McMahon remains her foundation. The Friday night ritual, born with Henry and carried forward with Percy, is a testament to their commitment to nurturing love through intentional moments. “It’s not about grand gestures,” Perino told PEOPLE. “It’s about showing up for each other, week after week, with a glass of wine and a dog by our side.” For Dana Perino and Peter McMahon, this ritual ensures their love remains as full as ever, a legacy of Henry’s boundless spirit.