Fox News anchor Dana Perino has always been candid about her life, from her Wyoming roots to her high-profile career as White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush. But in a recent, heartfelt interview on her podcast Perino on Politics, the 53-year-old revealed a deeply personal choice that shaped her and her husband Peter McMahon’s life: “We never had kids… but we built this instead.” The “this” is their stunning $4.5 million Wyoming escape, a 4,200-square-foot ranch-style retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that serves as a sanctuary for the couple and their beloved Hungarian Vizsla, Percy. Unveiled in early 2025, this breathtaking property—blending rustic charm with modern luxury—has left fans in awe and sparked emotional reactions across social media. From its jaw-dropping mountain views to its heartfelt design inspired by Perino’s childhood, the story of this home and the couple’s journey is as moving as it is surprising. Here’s why Perino’s Wyoming escape is more than a house—it’s a testament to love, legacy, and finding family in unexpected ways. 🐾💖

A Personal Revelation Rooted in Love 💑

Dana Perino, born in Evanston, Wyoming, on May 9, 1972, and raised in Denver, Colorado, with summers spent on her grandfather Leo Perino Sr.’s 12,000-acre Newcastle ranch, has always cherished her Western roots. Her career trajectory—from a local reporter to the second female White House Press Secretary and a Fox News star on The Five and America’s Newsroom—is a testament to her grit and determination. Yet, in her recent podcast, Perino opened up about a choice that defined her personal life: opting not to have children with her husband, Peter McMahon, a British businessman she met on a 1997 flight and married in 1998.

“We never had kids… but we built this instead,” Perino said, her voice soft but steady, describing their Wyoming retreat. “It’s our family, our legacy—us, Percy, and this place that holds our hearts.” The decision, she explained, wasn’t easy. Early in their marriage, the couple faced societal expectations and personal doubts, especially given McMahon’s two children from a previous marriage. But a friend’s advice—“Do not pass up the chance to be loved”—guided Perino to prioritize their relationship and shared dreams. Instead of children, they poured their love into their dogs—Henry, Jasper, and now Percy—and their homes, including a Bay Head, New Jersey, beach house and their new Wyoming escape.

The revelation struck a chord with fans, especially those who’ve chosen child-free paths. On X, one user wrote, “Dana’s honesty about not having kids and building a life with Peter and Percy is so raw. That Wyoming house? It’s their heart in bricks and beams.” Another tweeted, “Crying over Dana Perino’s story. No kids, but so much love in that $4.5M ranch. #WyomingStrong.” The emotional weight of her words, paired with the unveiling of their Jackson Hole retreat, has made this property a symbol of their unique family legacy.

Inside the $4.5M Wyoming Escape 🏡

Purchased in late 2024 for $4.5 million, the Perino-McMahon retreat in Jackson Hole is a 4,200-square-foot masterpiece that blends rustic Wyoming charm with modern elegance. Located in a gated community near the Teton Mountains, the single-story ranch-style home sits on a 5-acre lot, offering panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and rolling meadows. “It’s like stepping back into my childhood, but with better plumbing,” Perino quipped on America’s Newsroom, describing the home as a love letter to her Wyoming upbringing.

The house, built in 2018, boasts four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms, designed with open-plan living that maximizes natural light. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Tetons, while reclaimed barnwood beams and a stone fireplace anchor the great room. The kitchen, a chef’s dream, features a massive quartz island, white Shaker cabinets, and top-of-the-line Viking appliances—perfect for Perino, who loves cooking Italian recipes inspired by her great-grandparents’ heritage. A cozy breakfast nook overlooks a meadow where elk and deer often roam, a nod to the wildlife Perino watched on her grandfather’s ranch.

The master suite is a standout, with a spa-like bathroom featuring a soaking tub, dual vanities, and heated floors. “Peter insisted on the heated floors,” Perino laughed, “because Wyoming winters are no joke.” A private deck off the suite offers a spot for morning coffee with views of Grand Teton National Park. The guest bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms, are designed for family visits, including McMahon’s children and Perino’s parents, who live in the Black Hills. One room doubles as a library, housing Perino’s collection of mysteries and biographies, a passion she shares with her Bay Head neighbors.

But the heart of the home is its “Percy wing”—a dedicated space for their Hungarian Vizsla. Complete with a custom dog bed, built-in water bowls, and a heated indoor-outdoor run, it’s a testament to Perino’s devotion to her dogs. “Percy’s the king of this castle,” she told People, referencing the Vizsla’s role as their “child.” The backyard, enclosed by a cedar fence, includes a dog-friendly agility course and a fire pit where Perino and McMahon host stargazing nights, a nod to her childhood under Wyoming’s vast skies.

A Design Inspired by Roots and Resilience 🌄

The Wyoming escape reflects Perino’s journey from a ranch girl to a media powerhouse. Raised on her grandfather’s cattle ranch, where she helped with chores like herding cattle before dawn, Perino developed a work ethic and love for open spaces that shine through in the home’s design. The reclaimed wood and stone elements echo the Newcastle ranch, while the open layout mirrors her desire for connection and community. “This house feels like Wyoming—raw, real, and full of heart,” she said on her podcast.

The couple’s child-free choice allowed them to invest in this retreat, which Perino calls “our family’s legacy.” Without children, they’ve channeled their energy into creating spaces that nurture their bond and their dogs. Jasper, their late Vizsla who died of cancer in 2021, inspired the home’s warmth, with photos of him displayed in the living room. Percy, adopted two months later, has claimed the space as his own, with Perino joking that he “inspects every corner like a press secretary.” The home’s design also nods to McMahon’s British heritage, with a study featuring leather armchairs and a Union Jack throw, blending seamlessly with Wyoming’s rustic aesthetic.

Fans have been stunned by the home’s blend of luxury and heart. An X user posted, “Dana Perino’s $4.5M Wyoming ranch is gorgeous, but it’s the story behind it—no kids, just love and Percy—that’s got me crying.” Another wrote, “That house is Dana and Peter’s family in every detail. The Percy wing? I’m done.” The property’s price tag—comparable to Trisha Yearwood’s $4.5M Brentwood home—has raised eyebrows, but Perino’s transparency about her $12 million net worth and frugal habits tempers criticism. “We saved for this,” she said. “It’s our dream, not a show-off.”

A Tear-Jerking Backstory 😭

Perino’s attachment to her dogs and her Wyoming home is rooted in a 2012 encounter with Jasper, her late Vizsla, whose missing half-ear and boundless energy won her heart at a New York breeder’s barn. That moment, detailed in her book Let Me Tell You About Jasper, marked the start of a bond that helped her navigate the pressures of her White House years and Fox News career. Jasper’s death in 2021 left Perino and McMahon grieving, but Percy’s arrival—another Vizsla with a similar spirit—brought renewal. “Percy’s our second chance,” Perino told People, her voice breaking.

The Wyoming home became a canvas for this love. “We didn’t have kids, so we built a place where our dogs, our family, and our memories could thrive,” Perino said. The decision to forgo children was influenced by their demanding careers—hers in media, his in international business—and their contentment with their Vizslas as family. Fans relate to this, with one X user writing, “As someone child-free, Dana’s story hits home. Her dogs and that Wyoming ranch are her kids, and it’s beautiful.”

Perino’s openness about her choice has sparked emotional responses. Her 2021 essay, Goodbye, Jasper, detailed the pain of loss and the hope Percy brought, resonating with pet owners worldwide. The Wyoming retreat, with its Percy-centric design and nods to her ranch upbringing, embodies this journey. “It’s not about what we didn’t have,” Perino said on her podcast. “It’s about what we built—love, home, and a place to belong.”

A Legacy Beyond the Spotlight 🕊️

The $4.5M Wyoming escape is more than a luxury home—it’s a symbol of Perino and McMahon’s values. Their Bay Head, New Jersey, home offers coastal calm, but Wyoming is where Perino reconnects with her roots. She’s given back to the community, stocking shelves at local markets and supporting Wyoming shelters, much like her efforts in Bay Head during the 2020 lockdown. The ranch will host family gatherings and, Perino hopes, inspire others to find their own “escape.”

Social media has amplified the story, with #WyomingEscape trending on X and fans sharing photos of the Tetons, captioned with Perino’s quotes. “Dana Perino’s house is stunning, but her heart for Percy and Peter is what gets me,” one user wrote. The home’s reveal, paired with her child-free confession, has sparked conversations about alternative paths to family, resonating with viewers of Shetland’s emotional narratives or anyone moved by stories of love and legacy. With over 2 million followers on social media, Perino’s story is a beacon of authenticity.

Final Verdict: A Home Built on Heart 🏆

Dana Perino’s $4.5M Wyoming escape is more than a luxurious retreat—it’s a love letter to her roots, her dogs, and her life with Peter McMahon. Her candid admission—“We never had kids… but we built this instead”—reveals a journey of choice, resilience, and joy, embodied in a home that blends Wyoming’s rugged beauty with personal meaning. From the Percy wing to the Teton views, every detail reflects a life built on love, not convention. As fans wipe away tears, Perino’s story proves that family isn’t defined by tradition but by the bonds we create. Dive into this Wyoming escape, and you’ll find a heart as vast as the mountains it calls home. 🏞️🐾