Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch Marries for the Fifth Time at 92

Age and Years are No Shield Against Cupid's Arrows

The newly weds at Rupert Murdoch’s Californian vineyard, on Sunday.

Rupert Murdoch Marries for the Fifth Time

Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old media mogul, has tied the knot once again, marrying Elena Zhukova in a private ceremony at his California vineyard on Sunday, 2nd June. This marks Murdoch's sixth engagement and fifth marriage, following a string of high-profile relationships and divorces throughout his seven-decade career at the helm of his global media empire. For Elena Zhukova, this marriage to Rupert Murdoch is her second; she was previously married to Alexander Zhukov, a billionaire energy investor from Russia.

Elena Zhukova: The New Bride

Elena Zhukova, a 67-year-old retired molecular biologist, is the newest addition to Rupert Murdoch's personal life. Previously married to Russian oil billionaire Alexander Zhukov, she is the mother of socialite and businesswoman Dasha Zhukova, the ex-wife of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. Murdoch and Zhukova reportedly met through Wendi Deng, Murdoch's third wife. Their engagement was announced in March 2024, following a whirlwind romance that blossomed after Murdoch's brief engagement to Ann Lesley Smith ended abruptly.

A Strategic Shift to American Citizenship

In 1985, Australian-born Rupert Murdoch made a pivotal decision to become an American citizen, relinquishing his Australian passport. This strategic move allowed him to bypass restrictions that prevented foreigners from owning U.S. television networks, enabling him to acquire Fox and expand his media empire in the United States. Despite the unusual nature of this switch, it was a calculated step in Murdoch's plan to dominate the American TV market and secure a powerful media presence.

Rupert Murdoch's Incredible Journey

Rupert Murdoch, born in Australia in 1931, began his career with a small newspaper inherited from his father. He transformed this into the global media giant, News Corporation, collecting newspapers, TV channels, and movie studios. He acquired The Times in the UK, the New York Post in the US, and created Fox News. Known for his influential connections with leaders, Murdoch navigated controversies and maintained his power. Now, at 92, he is retiring and passing the torch to his son Lachlan, though he will remain involved, sharing his wisdom and experience.

Murdoch's Media Empire: A Seven-Decade Reign

Rupert Murdoch built a massive media empire over 70 years, starting with a single newspaper in Australia inherited from his father. He expanded by acquiring numerous newspapers, TV stations, movie studios, and even the social media site Myspace. His holdings included Fox News and the Wall Street Journal, making him a significant power broker whom world leaders sought to befriend. Despite his successes, Murdoch's empire faced controversies, such as the phone-hacking scandal. Now, at 92, Murdoch is passing control to his son Lachlan, preparing to enjoy his golden years while the next generation manages the business.

Murdoch's Marriages and Kids

Rupert Murdoch has been married four times before tying the knot with Elena Zhukova. His first wife was Patricia Booker, a flight attendant he married in 1956, and they had one daughter, Prudence, before divorcing in 1967. That same year, he married journalist Anna Torv, with whom he had three children: Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. They divorced in 1999, with Torv reportedly receiving a $1.7 billion settlement. Seventeen days later, Murdoch married media executive Wendi Deng, 37 years his junior, and they had two daughters, Grace and Chloe, before divorcing in 2013. In 2016, Murdoch married former model Jerry Hall, but they divorced in 2022. Murdoch's children are deeply involved in the family business: Lachlan is set to take over as chairman of Fox and News Corp, James held senior roles before leaving in 2020, and Elisabeth founded her own media company and served on the News Corp board.

Murdoch's Messy Scandals

Professional Controversies

Rupert Murdoch's life has indeed been marked by numerous controversies, both personal and professional. His business dealings have faced significant scandals, the most notable being the phone-hacking scandal in 2011. This scandal involved journalists at his News of the World newspaper in the United Kingdom, who were caught illegally accessing people's voicemails. The scandal led to the closure of the 168-year-old newspaper and Murdoch had to face questioning from politicians who were deeply unhappy with the revelations.

The Phone-Hacking Scandal

The phone-hacking scandal erupted in 2011 when it was revealed that News of the World journalists had hacked into the voicemails of various individuals, including celebrities, politicians, and even a murdered schoolgirl, Milly Dowler. The scandal exposed the unethical practices within the newspaper and led to widespread public outrage. Murdoch decided to shut down the newspaper in July 2011 to contain the fallout. The scandal also led to multiple arrests and resignations, including that of Rebekah Brooks, the CEO of News International, and Les Hinton, the chairman of Dow Jones.

Personal Life Headlines

Murdoch's personal life has also made headlines. His split from Anna Torv in 1999 was one of the most expensive divorces ever, with Torv reportedly receiving $1.7 billion. His short-lived marriage to Wendi Deng, who was 37 years his junior, also raised eyebrows. Despite these controversies, Murdoch has always managed to come out on top, like a cat with nine lives. His media empire continues to shape public opinion and political landscapes around the world, even as he steps back from day-to-day operations.

Love Knows No Age

Rupert Murdoch and Elena Zhukova's union reminds us that age is just a number and that in matters of the heart, age difference is irrelevant. We wish the newlyweds the very best and hope that this marriage is long-lasting and fulfilling for both of them. Here’s to love that transcends time and boundaries, proving that true connections are ageless. May this be the final and most cherished chapter in both their lives.