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Rupert Murdoch

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Keith Rupert Murdoch
Born (1931-03-11) March 11, 1931 (age 95)
Melbourne, Australia
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, investor, media proprietor
Known forFounder and executive chairman of News Corp; owner of The Sun, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Australian, The Wall Street Journal, New York Post; owner of HarperCollins, Sky News Australia, Fox News

Keith Rupert Murdoch ( ; born 11 March 1931) is a retired Australian-American entrepreneur, investor, and influential media figure. Through his corporation News Corp, he controls a wide range of publishing entities at local, national, and international levels, including prominent UK newspapers such as The Sun and The Times, Australian publications like The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, and The Australian, as well as American titles including The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post. His media conglomerate also encompasses the book publishing house HarperCollins and television networks such as Sky News Australia and Fox News (through Fox Corporation). Previously, he owned Sky until 2018, 21st Century Fox until 2019, and the now-defunct News of the World. With a net worth estimated at billion in 2022, Murdoch ranks as the 31st wealthiest individual in the United States and 71st worldwide according to Forbes. Due to the vast scope of his media holdings, he is frequently described as an oligarch.

Murdoch inherited his father Keith Murdoch’s Adelaide-based newspaper The News in 1952 and subsequently expanded his portfolio by acquiring newspapers throughout Australia and New Zealand. His entry into the British market began in 1969 with the purchase of News of the World, followed shortly by acquiring The Sun. After relocating to New York City in 1974, he pursued growth within the US media sector while retaining his Australian and British interests. The acquisition of The Times in 1981 marked his initial foray into British broadsheets. To comply with American regulations on television network ownership, Murdoch became a naturalized US citizen in 1985. The following year, his firm centralized printing operations in London, which triggered industrial disputes. Significant acquisitions under his leadership included Twentieth Century Fox (1985), HarperCollins (1989), and The Wall Street Journal (2007). He launched the British broadcaster BSkyB in 1990 and broadened his reach into television markets across Asia and South America during the 1990s. By the turn of the millennium, News Corporation had grown to encompass over 800 companies in more than 50 countries with assets valued at over $5 billion.

In July 2011, Murdoch became embroiled in major controversies after allegations surfaced that News Corporation’s outlets, notably News of the World, were involved in phone hacking targeting celebrities, members of royalty, and public officials. These accusations led to police investigations within the UK and FBI probes in the United States concerning bribery and corruption. On 21 July 2012, Murdoch stepped down from his role as director of News International. In September 2023, he revealed intentions to resign from his chairmanship positions at both Fox Corp. and News Corp.

His media properties have frequently faced criticism for exhibiting a right-leaning bias and disseminating coverage that aligns with his commercial interests and political affiliations. Murdoch’s influence has been connected to pivotal political events in countries such as the UK, US, and Australia, including backing Brexit in Britain and opposing initiatives like Australia's carbon tax.

As of 2024, a legal conflict is ongoing among Murdoch’s children—Elisabeth, Prudence, and James—who are contesting his efforts to modify the family trust to guarantee that his eldest son Lachlan maintains control over News Corp and Fox Corp, which contradicts the trust’s original provisions intended to benefit all six siblings.

Early life and education

Keith Rupert Murdoch entered the world on 11 March 1931 in Melbourne, Australia, as the second child among four siblings born to Sir Keith Arthur Murdoch (1885–1952) and Dame Elisabeth Joy (; 1909–2012). His father transitioned from being a war correspondent to becoming a regional newspaper tycoon, owning two newspapers in Adelaide and a radio station, while also serving as chairman of the Herald and Weekly Times publishing group. Murdoch’s family included three sisters: Helen, Anne, and Janet. His paternal grandfather, Patrick John Murdoch, was a Presbyterian minister originally from Scotland who migrated to Australia in 1884.

Murdoch received his education at Geelong Grammar School, where he took on editorial roles for the school’s official publication The Corian and the student magazine If Revived. He pursued higher studies in philosophy, politics, and economics at Worcester College, Oxford in England. During his time at Oxford, he earned the nickname "Red Rupert" due to his left-leaning political stance, actively participating in the Labour Party, running for secretary of the Labour Club, and overseeing Oxford Student Publications Limited, which published Cherwell.

Following his father’s death in 1952, Murdoch’s mother devoted herself to philanthropic efforts, including founding the Murdoch Children's Research Institute. Prior to his father’s passing, Murdoch gained practical experience working part-time at the Melbourne Herald, preparing for leadership of the family enterprise. Subsequently, he spent two years employed as a sub-editor at the Daily Express.

Activities in Australia and New Zealand

At just 21 years old and after his father’s demise, Rupert Murdoch assumed control of what remained of the family business. After liquidating his father’s stake in the Herald to cover tax obligations, the remaining asset was News Limited, originally founded in 1923. Murdoch revitalized its Adelaide publication, The News, turning it into a significant success. His expansion strategy included acquiring struggling titles such as Perth’s Sunday Times in 1956 and numerous suburban and regional newspapers throughout New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Northern Territory. This included Sydney’s Daily Mirror in 1960. According to The Economist, Murdoch is credited with pioneering the modern tabloid format by emphasizing sports and scandal stories alongside bold headlines.

Murdoch’s first venture beyond Australia involved securing a controlling interest in New Zealand’s The Dominion. In 1964, he outbid British-Canadian media magnate Lord Thomson of Fleet after a fiercely contested takeover. That same year marked the launch of The Australian, which became the nation’s inaugural national daily newspaper; initially headquartered in Canberra before relocating to Sydney. In 1972, he acquired Sydney’s morning tabloid Daily Telegraph from Sir Frank Packer, who reportedly later regretted selling it. In recognition of his substantial contributions to publishing, Murdoch was honored with appointment as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 1984.

After media ownership regulations were eased under the Keating government, Murdoch successfully executed a takeover bid for The Herald and Weekly Times in 1986—Australia's largest newspaper publisher at that time. He outpaced rivals Fairfax and Robert Holmes à Court, agreeing to divest certain assets to finalize control.

In 1999, Murdoch diversified into the music industry by acquiring a controlling interest in Michael Gudinski's independent label Mushroom Records. He merged it with Festival Records, creating Festival Mushroom Records (FMR). His son James Murdoch took on management roles overseeing both Festival and FMR for several years.

Political involvement in Australia

Murdoch established an early alliance with Sir John McEwen, leader of the Australian Country Party (currently known as the National Party of Australia), which governed in coalition with the larger Liberal Party. From the inaugural edition of The Australian, Murdoch championed McEwen during conflicts that threatened the coalition's stability, thereby strengthening McEwen's influence.

Following the retirements of McEwen and Menzies, Murdoch extended his support to the Australian Labor Party under Gough Whitlam, aiding its victory on a platform advocating universal healthcare, tuition-free higher education, diplomatic recognition of China, and public resource ownership. However, this endorsement was short-lived as Murdoch cultivated political relationships in the United States while launching his brief venture, the National Star newspaper.

At News Corporation's 2007 annual meeting, Murdoch refrained from commenting on the 2007 Australian federal election, leaving editorial decisions to his staff. Subsequently, he criticized Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for emphasizing global climate leadership at Australia's expense and for implementing expansive fiscal policies following the 2008 financial crisis. In response to Rudd’s claims that News Limited conducted vendettas against his administration, Murdoch dismissed him as "oversensitive." Despite News Limited's substantial media presence—including outlets like the Daily Telegraph, Courier-Mail, and Adelaide Advertiser—analysts suggested that any anti-Rudd campaigns were driven locally rather than orchestrated by Murdoch, who at times disagreed with regional editors regarding climate change and economic stimulus initiatives.

Murdoch has been an advocate for an Australian republic, actively participating in campaigns during the 1999 referendum advocating constitutional reform.

Business ventures in the United Kingdom

Murdoch entered the British newspaper industry in 1968 by purchasing the popular News of the World, followed by acquiring the ailing daily The Sun from IPC in 1969. He revamped The Sun into a tabloid format and reduced expenses by consolidating printing facilities. By 1997, The Sun boasted a daily readership of 10 million. In 1981, Murdoch acquired the struggling Times and Sunday Times from Canadian publisher Lord Thomson of Fleet, who was eager to divest due to industrial action losses. Editor Harold Evans briefly helmed The Times but departed amid editorial disputes with Murdoch.

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Murdoch’s media outlets supported Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Later, his allegiance shifted toward the Labour Party and leader Tony Blair, with their close ties becoming a matter of political discussion. Eventually, The Sun endorsed David Cameron's Conservative Party, which formed a coalition government. In Scotland, the publication backed the Scottish National Party, which subsequently gained a majority in the Scottish Parliament. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown maintained frequent communication with Murdoch.

In 1986, Murdoch introduced electronic production technology across his newspapers in Australia, Britain, and the US, leading to significant reductions in printing staff. In England, this change triggered the violent Wapping dispute following the dismissal of 6,000 striking workers at a new electronic publishing plant located in London's docklands. The dispute was politically charged amid allegations of government collusion aimed at undermining trade unions. The dismissed workers reached a settlement valued at £60 million in 1987.

In 1998, Murdoch made a £625 million bid—the highest ever for a sports club—to acquire football club Manchester United F.C.. However, this attempt was blocked by the UK's Competition Commission due to concerns over broadcast competition and maintaining football standards.

His British satellite network, Sky Television, initially operated at a loss but merged with competitor British Satellite Broadcasting in 1990 to form BSkyB, securing dominance in UK pay-TV via direct-to-home satellite services. By 1996, BSkyB had amassed over 3.6 million subscribers—three times more than cable customers.

Murdoch holds a position on the Strategic Advisory Board of Genie Oil and Gas, collaborating with Lord Rothschild to invest in shale gas and oil exploration projects spanning Colorado, Mongolia, Israel, and the Golan Heights.

Confronting challenges from declining print media and rising digital journalism throughout the 2000s, Murdoch advocated for micropayment models to generate online news revenue—an approach that attracted criticism.

In January 2018, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked Murdoch’s bid to acquire the remaining 61% stake in BSkyB due to concerns about market dominance. The CMA later approved his offer on condition that Sky News be sold to the Walt Disney Company. Ultimately, Comcast secured control of BSkyB through a CMA-mandated auction; Murdoch divested his remaining 39% share to Comcast.

News Corporation operates subsidiaries situated within offshore financial jurisdictions such as the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, and Virgin Islands. Since 1986, its effective annual tax rate has averaged approximately seven percent of profits.

Political involvement in the United Kingdom

During the 1980s, Rupert Murdoch established a strong rapport with Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In 1981, when Murdoch aimed to acquire The Times and The Sunday Times, Thatcher's administration permitted the purchase without referring it to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, a decision that was unusual for that period. Subsequent documents disclosed a confidential meeting where Murdoch briefed Thatcher on his editorial intentions, including strategies to confront trade unions.

The Sun attributed its role in aiding Thatcher’s successor, John Major, to achieve an unforeseen victory in the 1992 general election. In later elections (1997, 2001, 2005), Murdoch’s newspapers either remained neutral or endorsed Labour under Tony Blair, reflecting Labour’s move toward more centrist economic policies. Murdoch himself identifies as a libertarian, promoting limited government interference.

In 2005, Murdoch stated that Blair had criticized BBC’s coverage of Hurricane Katrina as being anti-American. By 2006, News Corporation and Murdoch were considering support for Conservative leader David Cameron in the upcoming general election, although Murdoch later showed only modest enthusiasm for Cameron. Nonetheless, both shared an agenda to curtail the power of Britain’s communications regulator, Ofcom.

In 2008, Cameron accepted complimentary flights and private meetings aboard Murdoch’s yacht, arrangements facilitated by Murdoch’s son-in-law Matthew Freud. Other prominent figures present included EU trade commissioner Lord Mandelson and Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. The Conservative Party refrained from disclosing specifics of these discussions.

By 2011, Cameron had engaged with News Corporation executives on 26 occasions during his tenure as Prime Minister. Murdoch reportedly reassured Cameron about appointing Andy Coulson—former editor of News of the World—as communications director despite Coulson’s resignation amid phone hacking allegations. Coulson eventually stepped down amid scandal and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

In June 2016, The Sun endorsed Vote Leave in the EU referendum; Murdoch described Brexit as "wonderful," comparing it to "a prison break." While various quotes suggesting his support for EU disengagement circulated, Murdoch later denied making those statements.

Overall supportive of Boris Johnson’s administration with some exceptions, Murdoch’s media outlets maintained close ties with cabinet members and Treasury officials throughout Johnson’s initial two years in office. However, declining newspaper readership in the UK during the early 21st century has led analysts to conclude that Murdoch’s political influence waned by the early 2020s.

News International phone hacking scandal

In July 2011, Rupert Murdoch and his son James appeared before a British parliamentary committee investigating allegations of phone hacking within their media conglomerate. News Corporation came under intense examination following emerging reports of phone hacking in 2011.

On 14 July 2011, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee summoned Murdoch senior and junior alongside former CEO Rebekah Brooks to testify. Initially reluctant, the Murdochs agreed to attend after receiving the summons. The day prior to their appearance, The Sun’’ website was compromised with a fake announcement claiming Murdoch had died. He later described that day as "the most humble day of my life," emphasizing that News of the World accounted for only one percent of his global enterprise employing 53,000 people and denying any personal knowledge or responsibility for the hacking incidents. Murdoch also stated he had never contemplated resignation.

On 15 July, Murdoch privately apologized to Milly Dowler’s family over voicemail hacking conducted by his company. Following this, News International published two full-page apologies in leading UK newspapers: one authored by Murdoch expressing sorrow for "serious wrongdoing," and another detailing remedial actions taken. In response to the controversy, Murdoch accepted resignations from Brooks and Les Hinton—head of Dow Jones and chairman of his UK newspaper division during some misconduct; both maintained they were unaware of any illegal activities.

On 27 February 2012, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers informed the Leveson Inquiry about police investigations into a "network of corrupt officials" connected with phone hacking and police corruption. Evidence indicated an organizational culture at The Sun that authorized illegal payments at senior levels.

During testimony on 25 April 2012, Murdoch did not refute a 1983 quote attributed to him regarding issuing directives to editors worldwide. On 1 May 2012, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee judged Murdoch "not a fit person to exercise stewardship of a major international company."

On 3 July 2013, Exaro and Channel 4 News disclosed a secret recording in which Murdoch dismissed the investigation as "one big fuss over nothing," assuring employees that he or his successors would protect journalists facing imprisonment.

Activities in the United States

Murdoch's initial entry into the U.S. media landscape occurred in 1973 with his purchase of the San Antonio Express-News. The following year, he moved to New York City to broaden his presence in the American market, while still maintaining his business interests in Australia and the United Kingdom. He launched the supermarket tabloid Star and acquired the New York Post in 1976. To meet U.S. media ownership regulations, Murdoch became a naturalized American citizen in 1985.

In 1984, Murdoch purchased 20th Century Fox from Marvin Davis for $250 million, a sale influenced by Marc Rich's sanctioned dealings with Iran. He later acquired Metromedia's television stations on his own, which laid the groundwork for establishing the Fox Broadcasting Company in 1986. This network gained success with programs such as The Simpsons and The X-Files.

Murdoch expanded his Australian holdings in 1987 by acquiring The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd, a company previously overseen by his father. In 1996, 20th Century Fox absorbed the remaining assets of Four Star Television, consolidating much of its content under Fox Television.

Despite owning extensive assets, News Corporation grappled with $7 billion in debt stemming from aggressive acquisitions during the 1980s, prompting divestitures of numerous American magazine properties obtained mid-decade.

In 1993, Fox Network secured exclusive broadcasting rights to the NFL's National Football Conference (NFC), enabling programming every day of the week. Although facing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) scrutiny due to his foreign origins, Murdoch retained control of Fox following regulatory approval in 1995. That year also marked News Corporation’s launch of Australia's pay-TV service Foxtel alongside Telstra and plans to develop a major news website and publish The Weekly Standard magazine.

The Fox News Channel was introduced in 1996 as a 24-hour cable news outlet that by 2009 dominated cable news viewership. Murdoch has maintained a long-standing competitive relationship with CNN founder Ted Turner. In 2003, he acquired a 34% interest in Hughes Electronics—the operator of DirecTV—for $6 billion. Fox studios produced worldwide blockbusters including Titanic and Avatar.

In 2004, News Corporation relocated its headquarters from Australia to the United States to attract more American investors.

On July 20, 2005, News Corporation purchased Intermix Media Inc., which owned Myspace and other digital platforms, for $580 million; however, Myspace was sold in 2011 for $35 million. That same year, the company acquired IGN Entertainment for $650 million.

Murdoch made an initial $5 billion offer for Dow Jones & Company in 2007; after negotiations, he completed the acquisition later that year, gaining control over publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Barron's Magazine, and the Far Eastern Economic Review.

In June 2014, Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox proposed an $80 billion takeover bid for Time Warner, which was ultimately rejected and withdrawn by August; subsequently, Fox announced a $6 billion share repurchase program.

Murdoch resigned as CEO of 21st Century Fox in 2015 but maintained ownership until its purchase by Disney in 2019. Key broadcasting properties were spun off into Fox Corporation, including Fox News, where Murdoch served as interim CEO from 2016 to 2019 following Roger Ailes’ resignation amid controversy.

In January 2023, Murdoch abandoned plans to merge News Corp with Fox Corporation, citing shareholder concerns. Later that year, in September 2023, he retired and passed leadership responsibilities to his eldest son Lachlan.

Political involvement in the United States

According to McKnight (2010), Murdoch's media enterprises are characterized by four major attributes: advocacy of free market principles; consistent public policy stances; coordinated editorial direction on a global scale; and resistance to what is seen as liberal bias.

Ken Auletta, writing in The New Yorker, highlights Murdoch's backing of Edward I. Koch’s campaign for New York City mayor, which led to favorable treatment by the New York Post. The The New York Times reported that Ronald Reagan credited Murdoch and the Post with helping secure his 1980 New York victory. Subsequently, Reagan permitted Murdoch to own multiple newspapers and television stations within the same market, facilitating significant media growth.

On 8 May 2006, the Financial Times disclosed that Murdoch planned to host a fundraising event for Senator Hillary Clinton’s 2006 Senate re-election campaign. In a 2008 interview, Murdoch voiced strong endorsement of Barack Obama during the Democratic primary season, commending his education platform and forecasting his electoral success.

In 2010, News Corporation contributed $1 million each to the Republican Governors Association and the US Chamber of Commerce. Murdoch also held a position on the board of the libertarian Cato Institute and advocated for intellectual property laws such as SOPA and PIPA.

Murdoch has championed more liberal immigration policies in Western nations. He collaborated with corporate executives from Hewlett-Packard, Boeing, Disney, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to establish the Partnership for a New American Economy, which promotes immigration reform including legalization pathways for undocumented immigrants as a means to strengthen the U.S. economy. This approach aligns with initiatives supported by both the Cato Institute and US Chamber of Commerce.

While The Wall Street Journal’’ editorial board favors expanding legal immigration, Murdoch’s UK publication The Sun has often adopted a more restrictive stance on immigration. In September 2010, Murdoch testified before Congress advocating comprehensive immigration reform that includes citizenship opportunities.

During the 2012 U.S. presidential race, Murdoch expressed criticism toward Mitt Romney’s campaign team but nonetheless supported a Republican win, tweeting: "Of course I want him [Romney] to win, save us from socialism."

In October 2015, Murdoch generated controversy by praising Republican contender Ben Carson and criticizing President Obama’s management of racial matters; he subsequently issued an apology for these comments.

Throughout Donald Trump’s administration, Murdoch’s media outlets, notably Fox News, tended to endorse Trump. In early 2018, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman visited Murdoch’s estate in Los Angeles for dinner.

Murdoch is a vocal advocate for Israel. The Anti-Defamation League honored him with its International Leadership Award in October 2010 in recognition of his support for Israel and efforts to combat antisemitism. However, amid concerns over Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s promotion of white replacement theory, ADL director Jonathan Greenblatt announced in April 2021 that the organization would cease presenting such awards to Murdoch.

In 2023, during Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation lawsuit against Fox News, Murdoch admitted that certain Fox commentators knowingly propagated false claims about election fraud. Fox News reached a settlement with Dominion for $787.5 million in April 2023.

In July 2025, Donald Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against Murdoch and Dow Jones concerning an article alleging that a birthday greeting referencing Trump was sent to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.

European Operations

Rupert Murdoch possesses a majority stake in Sky Italia, a satellite TV service provider based in Italy. His business activities in the Italian market have encountered obstacles, including a notable 2009 legal conflict involving then-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The judiciary determined that Berlusconi's media enterprise, Mediaset, had illegally obstructed Sky Italia's ability to acquire advertising space on its channels.

Asian Ventures

In November 1986, News Corporation purchased a 35% share in the South China Morning Post group for an estimated amount. Originally controlled by HSBC, Hutchison Whampoa, and Dow Jones & Company, News Corporation achieved complete ownership by 1987. Subsequently, in 1993, it sold a 34.9% portion to Robert Kuok's Kerry Media for a significant sum, followed by divesting the remaining 15.1% to MUI Group in 1994, thereby exiting the Hong Kong newspaper sector.

In mid-1993, News Corporation attempted to acquire a 22% equity interest in Hong Kong's terrestrial broadcaster TVB for approximately $237 million but retracted the bid after foreign ownership regulations remained restrictive.

That same year marked News Corporation's acquisition of Star TV from Hutchison Whampoa for $1 billion. This strategic purchase extended News Corporation’s satellite television footprint across Asia, including markets such as India, China, and Japan. Nonetheless, regulatory constraints imposed by the Chinese government curtailed access to mainland China.

By 2009, News Corporation reorganized Star TV operations: the divisions covering East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East were merged into Fox International Channels, while Star India was separated yet continued under News Corporation’s control.

Succession Legal Dispute (2024)

As of December 2024, members of the Murdoch family—James, Elisabeth, and Prudence—are involved in litigation in Reno, Nevada. They oppose Rupert Murdoch’s efforts to alter the terms of the Murdoch Family Trust to secure his eldest son Lachlan’s dominance over News Corp and Fox Corp. The existing "irrevocable" trust equally distributes control among all six children born prior to Rupert’s 1999 divorce from Anna Murdoch. Rupert’s objective is to restrict influence from his more politically progressive children to maintain conservative leadership within these corporations.

The trust encompasses the family's 28.5% ownership in News Corp and excludes Rupert’s younger offspring with Wendi Deng—Chloe and Grace—from governance decisions, though they benefit financially from stock holdings. In 2023, Rupert obtained approval from a Nevada probate commissioner to modify the trust under the condition that he acts with good faith toward his heirs’ interests. He argues that limiting sibling involvement safeguards Fox from financial risks and preserves its conservative editorial direction, which he believes enhances its market value.

This internal conflict has led to familial estrangement; notably, none of the disputing siblings were present at Rupert’s June 2024 marriage to his fifth spouse, Elena Zhukova.

Residences

In 2003, Murdoch purchased "Rosehearty," an expansive waterfront property featuring eleven bedrooms on five acres located on Centre Island, New York. A decade later, in May 2013, he acquired the Moraga Estate, a vineyard and winery situated in Bel Air, Los Angeles, California. In 2019, Murdoch and his wife Jerry Hall secured ownership of Holmwood, an eighteenth-century manor in the English village of Binfield Heath, near Reading in Berkshire.

During the late 2020 period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, Murdoch and Hall self-isolated at their Binfield Heath residence. He received his initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on 16 December at a facility located in nearby Henley-on-Thames.

Marriages

In 1956, Murdoch wed Patricia Booker, who previously worked as a shop assistant and flight attendant; they had one daughter, Prudence, born in 1958. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1967.

That same year, Murdoch married Anna Torv, a journalist from Scotland employed at his Sydney publication The Daily Mirror. Together, they had three children: Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. In 1998, Murdoch was honored as a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great. The marriage concluded with a divorce in June 1999, with Anna receiving a settlement valued at US$1.2 billion.

On 25 June 1999, Murdoch entered into marriage with Chinese-born Wendi Deng, who was then serving as vice-president at his STAR TV network. They had two daughters, Grace and Chloe. Towards the end of their marriage, baseless allegations linking Deng to Chinese intelligence agencies created tension between them. Murdoch filed for divorce in June 2013, bringing their over ten-year marriage to an end. This separation also marked the conclusion of his longstanding friendship with Tony Blair amid suspicions concerning an affair involving Deng.

Murdoch announced his engagement to former model Jerry Hall on 11 January 2016. The couple married on 4 March 2016 in London; this marked Murdoch’s fourth marriage. Reports surfaced in June 2022 indicating plans for divorce; Hall officially filed citing irreconcilable differences in July 2022. Their divorce was finalized the following month.

During Saint Patrick’s Day festivities in 2023, Murdoch proposed to Ann Lesley Smith, whom he met in September 2022. However, only two weeks after their engagement in April 2023, he called off the wedding due to discomfort with her religious beliefs and her admiration for Fox News personality Tucker Carlson. Carlson was dismissed from Fox News three weeks later.

In March 2024, Murdoch became engaged once more, this time to retired Russian molecular biologist Elena Zhukova, formerly married to businessman Alexander Zhukov. Their wedding took place in June 2024 at Murdoch’s estate in California. At the time, he was 93 years old and Zhukova was 67. Through this union, he became stepfather to Dasha Zhukova, who is the former spouse of Roman Abramovich.

Children

Murdoch is the father of six children. His eldest daughter, Prudence MacLeod, joined the board of Times Newspapers Ltd in January 2011, overseeing both The Times and The Sunday Times. His elder son, Lachlan, previously served as Deputy COO at News Corporation and was publisher of the New York Post. He was considered the heir apparent before stepping down from executive positions in July 2005 but remains a member of the board. James Murdoch, who has been CEO of British Sky Broadcasting since 2003, is the only son still actively involved in company management.

After completing studies at Vassar College, Murdoch’s daughter Elisabeth and her husband purchased two NBC-affiliate television stations in California using a $35 million loan from her father. They sold these stations for a $12 million gain in 1995, establishing Elisabeth as a potential successor within the media empire. Following their divorce in 1998 and professional separation, she built a successful independent career as a television and film producer based in London alongside her second husband, Matthew Freud, whom she married in 2001.

Until September 2023, Murdoch’s position as CEO of News Corporation remained uncertain. American cable magnate John Malone once held the second-largest voting share and posed a possible challenge to family control. In 2007, News Corporation acquired Malone’s shares through asset and cash exchanges while issuing voting stock to Murdoch’s older children.

Murdoch has two daughters with Wendi Deng: Grace (born 2001) and Chloe (born 2003). Grace’s godfather is Tony Blair. There are family disputes concerning a trust that holds the family’s 28.5% ownership stake in News Corporation, valued around $6.1 billion as of 2005. This trust provides income rights to Murdoch’s children by Deng but reserves voting authority for Murdoch and his offspring from earlier marriages. Upon Murdoch’s death, voting rights transfer exclusively to his older children while half-siblings retain income benefits. Although Murdoch has expressed intentions to allocate proportional control to his younger children, legal complexities and family opposition have so far prevented this change.

Film and television

In 1999, the sitcom The Chimp Channel was broadcast on TBS, then owned by Ted Turner, featuring an entirely simian cast. Among its characters was Harry Waller, depicted as "a self-made gazillionaire" who controlled various enterprises including a cable television network, serving as a satire of Murdoch, Turner's competitor.

The 2004 documentary Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism alleged that Fox News exerted pressure on journalists to adopt a pro-Republican and pro-Bush administration stance.

Channel 4's 2012 satirical film Hacks presented the fictional figure "Stanhope Feast," whose narrative drew clear parallels to Murdoch and the phone hacking controversy.

In the 2013 comedy Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, an Australian media tycoon inspired by Murdoch is portrayed as owning a cable news network.

The character Logan Roy from the TV series Succession (2018–2023), played by Brian Cox, was partially modeled on Murdoch.

Murdoch has been depicted by various actors in multiple productions, including:

Books

In Jeffrey Archer’s 1996 novel The Fourth Estate, Murdoch and his publishing rival Robert Maxwell are thinly veiled as characters "Keith Townsend" and "Richard Armstrong."

Edward St Aubyn’s 2017 novel Dunbar features a protagonist partly inspired by Murdoch.

Walter Marsh’s 2023 biography, Young Rupert: The Making of the Murdoch Empire, has been commended for its detailed research. It emphasizes Murdoch’s formative years at Adelaide’s The News and his dynamic with editor-in-chief Rohan Rivett. The book highlights Murdoch's initial affinity for socialism prior to establishing his media empire.

Music

Near the conclusion of his touring days, Eagles drummer and lead vocalist Don Henley frequently dedicated his 1982 track "Dirty Laundry" to Murdoch and commentator Bill O'Reilly. The Australian psychedelic rock group King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard composed the song "Evilest Man" about Murdoch for their 2022 album Omnium Gatherum.

Forbes rankings

Forbes estimated Rupert Murdoch's net worth at approximately USD 13.7 billion in 2014.

In 2016, Forbes ranked "Rupert Murdoch & Family" as the 35th most influential entity worldwide.

According to Forbes’ real-time billionaire list in 2017, Murdoch was positioned as the 34th wealthiest individual in the United States and 96th globally, with assets valued at US$13.1 billion.

By 2019, the Murdoch family placed 52nd on Forbes’ annual global billionaire rankings.

As of March 2024, Forbes listed Murdoch and his family at number 100 among the richest people globally, estimating their fortune at $19.5 billion.

Other assessments and investigations

In August 2013, Terry Flew, Professor of Media and Communications at Queensland University of Technology, analyzed former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's assertion that Murdoch controlled 70% of Australian newspapers in 2011. Flew's findings indicated that while News Corp Australia owned roughly 23% of newspapers, it accounted for 59% of daily newspaper circulation, totaling weekly sales of about 17.3 million copies.

During his testimony at the Leveson Inquiry, which examined British press ethics, editor Tunku Varadarajan of Newsweek International characterized Murdoch as "the man whose name is synonymous with unethical newspapers."

News Corp publications faced allegations of endorsing the Australian Liberal Party during the 2013 federal election. After the Liberal Party's victory, Murdoch publicly criticized public sector employees and welfare beneficiaries via Twitter.

In November 2015, former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott remarked that Murdoch "arguably has had more impact on the wider world than any other living Australian."

Late in 2015, journalist John Carreyrou from The Wall Street Journal began investigating Theranos, a blood-testing startup founded by Elizabeth Holmes, challenging its technological claims. Holmes approached Murdoch—whose media holdings include The Wall Street Journal—to suppress this investigation. Despite becoming Theranos’s largest investor with a $125 million contribution that year, Murdoch upheld the newspaper’s editorial independence by refusing to intervene.

In November 2021, Murdoch accused Google and Facebook of censoring conservative perspectives without providing evidence. He called for significant reforms alongside increased transparency within digital advertising supply chains.

See also

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