Rupert Murdoch
Overview
Starting in Australian newspapers, Murdoch expanded into British and U.S. newspapers, publishing and television and led News Corporation.[1]
Contents11 sections
Key facts
1931–1953Family and Education
Born in Melbourne on March 11, 1931, Murdoch was the son of newspaperman Keith and Elisabeth Murdoch. He graduated from Worcester College, Oxford, in 1953.[2]
1952–1964Australian Newspapers
After his father’s death in 1952, Murdoch inherited Adelaide’s News. In 1964 he launched the national daily The Australian.[3]
1969–2007British and U.S. Expansion
Murdoch acquired Britain’s News of the World and The Sun in 1969, followed by The Times and The Sunday Times in 1981. He acquired Twentieth Century Fox in 1985, launched the Fox television network in 1986 and Fox News in 1996, and acquired Dow Jones in 2007.[1]
1985U.S. Citizenship
Murdoch became a U.S. citizen in 1985 to meet legal requirements involved in acquiring American television stations.[3]
2011Phone-Hacking Inquiry Hearing
On July 19, 2011, the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee questioned Murdoch, James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks about phone hacking. It had previously summoned the two Murdochs.[4]
2013–2023Corporate Separation and Succession
The original News Corporation split into 21st Century Fox and a new News Corp in 2013; Fox Corporation was formed in 2019. A September 2023 announcement said Murdoch would become chairman emeritus after the companies’ November annual meetings, with Lachlan becoming News Corp’s sole chairman while continuing to lead Fox.[5]
Theranos Investment and the 2023 Restitution Order
Murdoch was identified personally as an investor victim in the Theranos case. On May 16, 2023, a federal court awarded Keith Rupert Murdoch $124,999,997 in restitution; evidence about the investment included Natalie Ravitz’s testimony. Holmes and Balwani were jointly and severally liable. The award did not establish payment to Murdoch and should not be presented as a corporate investment by News Corp.[6]
2024Fifth Marriage
Murdoch married Elena Zhukova on June 1, 2024, his fifth marriage. His previous spouses were Patricia Booker, Anna Torv, Wendi Deng and Jerry Hall. He has six children.[2]
2025Family Trust Settlement
On September 8, 2025, News Corp announced a settlement: Lachlan, Grace and Chloe would benefit from trusts retaining company shares, while Prudence, Elisabeth and James would leave the shareholding trusts. The announced arrangements ran to 2050, with Lachlan exercising voting control through his appointed director.[7]
Sources
- Rupert Murdoch (opens in a new window)
- Rupert Murdoch Fast Facts (opens in a new window)
- Rupert Murdoch (1931–) (opens in a new window)
- Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks questioned by MPs (opens in a new window)
- K. Rupert Murdoch to be Appointed Chairman Emeritus of Fox Corporation and News Corp (opens in a new window)
- Order on Restitution, United States v. Holmes and Balwani, No. 5:18-cr-00258-EJD, Document 1760 (opens in a new window)
- News Corp Announces Resolution of Murdoch Family Trust Matter (opens in a new window)