Vince McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, commentator, announcer, film producer, actor, and retired professional wrestler. He is the majority owner, chairman, and CEO of WWE, and founder of Alpha Entertainment, which is the holding company of the XFL. McMahon has promoted or owned several professional wrestling companies and brands throughout his career. He is a two-time world champion, having won the WWF Championship in 1999 and the ECW World Championship in 2007.
Early life
McMahon was born in Pinehurst, North Carolina, the son of Victoria (née Askew) and Vincent James McMahon. His father left the family when McMahon was a young boy, taking his elder son Rod with him, and leaving McMahon’s mother to raise him on her own. McMahon grew up as Vince Lupton, living with his mother and brother. He claimed his father’s last name when he was 10 years old. McMahon has said that his father died when he was 15 years old, an event that deeply affected him. McMahon has two younger brothers: Rod (born 1945) and Shane (born 1972).
Professional wrestling career
McMahon began his career as a wrestling announcer in 1969, working for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE), which was owned by his father. He became a referee in 1971. McMahon was promoted to the role of “play-by-play” announcer in 1972. He would also occasionally appear on-camera, most notably in an episode of WWWF Championship Wrestling in 1972, where Gorilla Monsoon threw him out of the ring after McMahon called him “a monkey”. McMahon would occasionally make fun of WWF Superstar Billy Graham while announcing his matches, calling him “a big, ugly, bald, fat slob”, which McMahon has admitted in several interviews was the inspiration for his Mr. McMahon character.
In 1979, McMahon and his wife Linda founded Titan Sports, Inc., which was incorporated in 1980. Titan was renamed World Wrestling Federation, Inc. in 1998, then World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. in 2002, and has been publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1999.
McMahon has played a prominent role in the development of the professional wrestling industry, as well as serving as an on-screen authority figure and commentator. He currently serves as the majority owner, chairman, and CEO of WWE, and founder of Alpha Entertainment, which is the holding company of the XFL. McMahon also has a minority stake in the Buffalo Bills.
Personal life
McMahon is married to Linda McMahon, with whom he has two children, Shane and Stephanie. The couple have been married since 1966. Linda McMahon was the CEO of WWE from 1997 until 2009, when she stepped down to run for the U.S. Senate. In 2009, she was a major contributor to the successful campaign of Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who was elected to the Senate in 2010.
In 2001, the McMahons founded the Connor’s Cure charity, which is dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric cancer. In 2007, McMahon was inducted into the Celebrity Wing of the WWE Hall of Fame.
In 2010, McMahon donated $5 million to the University of Connecticut’s new basketball facility, which was named after him. He has also donated $5 million to the Linda McMahon Family Foundation, which supports philanthropic causes.
In 2012, McMahon was a major contributor to the successful campaign of Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy.
In 2013, McMahon donated $1 million to the Connecticut Republican Party.
In 2016, McMahon donated $7 million to Rebuilding America Now, a political action committee that supported the presidential campaign of Donald Trump.
In 2019, McMahon donated $5 million to President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign.
In 2020, McMahon donated $18.5 million to the Republican National Committee.
In 2021, McMahon donated $100 million to former President Donald Trump’s PAC, Save America.
Age, height and more
Vince McMahon was born on August 24, 1945, making him 74 years old as of 2019. He is 6ft 2in (188cm) tall and has a net worth of $3.2 billion.