Early Life
Stephanie McMahon was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on September 24, 1976. She is the only daughter of Linda and Vince McMahon, a juggernaut of the pro wrestling business. Stephanie is also the younger sister of Shane McMahon.
Stephanie has been involved in the wrestling industry for her entire life; when she was 13 years old, Stephanie worked as a model for WWE’s merchandise catalogs. After graduating from Boston University with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, Stephanie became a full-time employee of her father’s company.
First Business Positions
Stephanie’s first position in WWE was as an Account Executive. For her first few years in the company, Stephanie served as a receptionist, worked in television production, and performed in the ring under her real name and identity.
In November 2000, Stephanie became WWE’s head writer. She spent the next several years working in WWE’s creative department before being promoted to Senior Vice President of Creative Writing in 2006. The following year, she was again promoted to EVP of Creative and became responsible for overseeing all of WWE’s creative process.
On-Screen WWE Career
Stephanie made her on-screen WWE debut in 1999. As part of a feud between Vince McMahon and The Undertaker, Stephanie was abducted and almost forced to marry The Undertaker before being rescued by her father’s longtime rival, Stone Cole Steve Austin.
Stephanie turned heel on her father when she conspired with WWE superstar Triple H in a convoluted revenge plot that involved Triple H and Stephanie getting married (The two also began dating in real life during this storyline and married officially on October 25, 2003).
The rest of Stephanie’s onscreen storylines for the next several years were just as bizarre. They included a love triangle between herself, Triple H, and Kurt Angle, and an in-storyline divorce. Stephanie also served as the Smackdown General Manager from July 2002 to October 2003, and then as Raw General Manager from June 2008 to April 2009.
The Authority
In August 2013, Stephanie joined her husband’s side in his feud against Daniel Bryan and the rising Yes Movement. She became a regular on WWE programming for the next several years, serving as a member of The Authority. She partook in several notable feuds against stars like Brie Bella and John Cena. On April 8, 2018, Stephanie fought in her first-ever WrestleMania when she fought alongside her husband against Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 34.
After the Authority disbanded, Stephanie served as Raw Commissioner and competed against her brother Shane, who was named as Smackdown Commissioner. Stephanie also helped spearhead the Women’s Revolution in WWE, which saw the end of the Divas’ era and the rise of stars like Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Becky Lynch.
Chairwoman And Co-CEO
On May 19, 2022, Stephanie announced that she would be taking a step back from WWE. However, just a month later, she was brought back into the company to serve as interim chairwoman and co-CEO alongside Nick Khan. This was in light of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by her father, Vince McMahon.
On January 10, 2023, Stephanie announced her resignation from WWE. Her decision came as a result of her father’s return as the chairman of the company.