Rupert Murdoch – Net Worth, Family, and Succession Plan
Rupert Murdoch, the Australian-born media magnate who built a global empire from a single newspaper, reshaped the way millions consume news and entertainment. His influence spans continents, his family’s succession battles have made headlines, and his net worth remains a subject of intense public curiosity.
What is Rupert Murdoch’s net worth?
Rupert Murdoch is a multi-billionaire, but pinning down his exact net worth is difficult because it fluctuates with market conditions and the value of his holdings in News Corp and Fox Corporation.
BBC reporting from around 2022 placed the Murdoch family’s net worth at $22.5 billion. A 2025 French Wikipedia entry citing Forbes listed it at $22.7 billion. An older estimate from NNDB was much lower, at about $7 billion, illustrating how older sources can diverge sharply from more recent data.
Most recent public estimates cluster Murdoch’s net worth in the low to mid-$20 billions. This wealth is primarily tied to his controlling stake in News Corp and Fox Corporation, which he controlled until his retirement from the chairmanship in 2023.
Rupert Murdoch at a Glance
Keith Rupert Murdoch
March 11, 1931 (age 93), Melbourne, Australia
$21.7 billion (as of March 2022 – fluctuates)
Founder of News Corp, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal
Key Insights
- Rupert Murdoch is one of the most influential media figures of the 20th and 21st centuries, with a net worth exceeding $20 billion.
- He built a global media empire starting from a single Australian newspaper inherited from his father.
- His family succession plan is a key topic, with son Lachlan Murdoch expected to take over leadership.
- Murdoch’s political influence, particularly through Fox News, has shaped conservative media in the U.S.
- He stepped down as chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp in 2023, ending a 70-year career.
- His company history is central to understanding the later corporate split.
- The 2024 settlement gave Lachlan control of the family’s global media assets.
Key Facts About Rupert Murdoch
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | March 11, 1931 |
| Citizenship | Australian-born, naturalized U.S. citizen (1985) |
| Net Worth | ~$21 billion (2022) |
| Spouses | Patricia Booker (1956–1967), Anna Torv (1967–1999), Wendi Deng (1999–2013), Jerry Hall (2016–2022) – currently dating Elena Zhukova |
| Children | Prudence, Lachlan, James, Elisabeth, Grace, Chloe |
| Religion | Raised Anglican, currently not publicly practicing; known as agnostic |
| Political Affiliation | Conservative, right-leaning; supporter of Republican Party |
| Major Companies | News Corp, Fox Corp, The Wall Street Journal, The Sun, HarperCollins |
Who are Rupert Murdoch’s children and wife?
Rupert Murdoch has six children from his four marriages. The succession dispute has focused on which child would control the family trust and the media empire after his death.
Murdoch tried to alter the trust to favor Lachlan, but he lost a legal fight against Prudence, Elisabeth, and James. A Nevada probate commissioner ruled in December 2024 that Murdoch could not modify the family trust to install his preferred successor. However, a 2025 settlement later gave Lachlan control of the family’s global media assets.
The main children commonly identified in public biographical sources are Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, James, and his younger daughters from later marriages. Biographical listings also note his marriages to Wendi Deng, Jerry Hall, and Elena Zhukova.
What are Rupert Murdoch’s political views and religion?
Murdoch is widely described as a conservative and a right-leaning figure who supports the Republican Party. He has described himself as a libertarian in some interviews, saying: “I’m not a conservative. I’m a libertarian. I believe in the power of the individual.”
On religion, he was raised Anglican but is currently not publicly practicing. He is often described as agnostic, though this is not officially confirmed.
How old is Rupert Murdoch and what was he like when young?
Rupert Murdoch was born on March 11, 1931, in Melbourne, Australia, making him 93 years old as of 2024. He inherited the Adelaide News after his father’s death in 1952, which became the foundation of his media expansion.
He later expanded into Britain and the United States, acquired major newspapers and TV assets, and helped launch Fox News in 1996, which became one of his most consequential businesses.
Murdoch’s early ambition and risk-taking are well documented. He launched The Australian, the country’s first national daily newspaper, in 1964, and acquired The Sun and News of the World in the UK in 1969. His entry into the U.S. market came in 1973 with the San Antonio Express-News.
Who will succeed Rupert Murdoch?
Lachlan Murdoch is expected to lead Fox Corp and News Corp following his father’s retirement. However, the succession plan has been the subject of family and legal conflict.
Murdoch stepped down as chairman of Fox Corporation and News Corp in September 2023, and Britannica described him as having retired in November 2023, with Lachlan Murdoch taking over as chairman.
The succession issue matters because Murdoch’s empire is still split across News Corp and Fox Corporation, and control of those entities has been the subject of family and legal conflict. For 2024 specifically, the key developments were Murdoch’s fifth marriage in June 2024 and the continuing trust litigation over succession.
Timeline of Rupert Murdoch’s Life and Career
- : Born in Melbourne, Australia
- : Inherits The Adelaide News from his father
- : Launches The Australian, Australia’s first national daily newspaper
- : Acquires The Sun and News of the World in the UK
- : Enters U.S. market with San Antonio Express-News
- : Becomes a U.S. citizen to meet FCC ownership rules
- : Launches Fox Broadcasting Company
- : Launches Fox News Channel
- : Acquires Dow Jones (The Wall Street Journal)
- : News of the World phone hacking scandal
- : Splits News Corp into two companies (News Corp and 21st Century Fox)
- : Sells 21st Century Fox to Disney for $71 billion
- : Steps down as chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp; son Lachlan becomes chairman
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Rupert Murdoch was born on March 11, 1931 in Melbourne, Australia. | Exact current net worth fluctuates with market conditions; Forbes and Bloomberg estimates may differ. |
| He is a naturalized U.S. citizen. | His religious beliefs are not publicly confirmed; he has been described as agnostic but not officially. |
| He has six children from four marriages. | The precise details of the Murdoch family trust and succession plan are private and subject to speculation. |
| He stepped down as chairman in 2023. | His political influence on Fox News is debated; some claim direct editorial control, others say it’s decentralized. |
| His net worth exceeded $20 billion as of 2022. |
What is the background and meaning of Murdoch’s career?
Rupert Murdoch’s career transformed global media by merging news, entertainment, and political influence. His acquisition strategy, including the purchase of Dow Jones and 21st Century Fox, created a vertically integrated media powerhouse.
The 2023 retirement marks a generational shift, but the Murdoch family will retain control through voting shares. Critics highlight Murdoch’s role in polarizing media, while supporters credit him with promoting free markets and conservative voices.
The sale of 21st Century Fox to Disney allowed Murdoch to focus on news and publishing, while family members vie for future leadership. His relationship with Fox News is particularly consequential, as he founded the network in 1996 and was its controlling shareholder until stepping down as chairman in 2023.
What do the sources say about Rupert Murdoch?
“I’m not a conservative. I’m a libertarian. I believe in the power of the individual.”
— Rupert Murdoch, as quoted in various interviews
“He built a global media empire from a single newspaper, and his influence on politics and culture is immeasurable.”
— Forbes profile
“Murdoch’s retirement opens a new chapter for Fox News and News Corp, but the family’s grip remains strong.”
— The Guardian analysis
What’s next for Rupert Murdoch and the Murdoch empire?
Lachlan Murdoch is expected to lead Fox Corp and News Corp, but James Murdoch remains a potential rival. The family trust that controls voting shares may be subject to internal disputes, and legal challenges are possible. Fox News faces ongoing legal and reputational challenges, including the Dominion defamation suit, that could affect the empire. Murdoch’s personal life, including his new relationship with Elena Zhukova, may generate media interest. The media industry’s shift to digital streaming and declining print revenue will test the Murdoch model.
For context on other prominent media figures, see Piers Morgan – Biography, Net Worth, TV Shows & More and Don Lemon – From CNN Anchor to Federal Arrest in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rupert Murdoch still alive?
Yes, Rupert Murdoch is alive as of 2024. He is 93 years old.
How many children does Rupert Murdoch have?
He has six children: Prudence (from first marriage), Lachlan, James, Elisabeth (from second marriage), and Grace and Chloe (from third marriage).
What is Rupert Murdoch’s relationship with Fox News?
He founded Fox News in 1996 and was its controlling shareholder until stepping down as chairman in 2023. He is often credited with shaping its conservative editorial stance.
What controversies is Rupert Murdoch involved in?
Major controversies include the News of the World phone hacking scandal (2011), allegations of political influence, and the Fox News defamation lawsuit (Dominion Voting Systems, settled for $787.5 million).
What is Rupert Murdoch’s citizenship?
He was born Australian and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1985 to comply with FCC ownership rules.
What is Rupert Murdoch’s net worth in 2024?
Exact figures vary, but recent public estimates cluster his net worth in the low to mid-$20 billions, primarily from his holdings in News Corp and Fox Corp.
Who will succeed Rupert Murdoch?
Lachlan Murdoch is expected to lead Fox Corp and News Corp. A 2025 settlement gave him control of the family’s global media assets after a legal dispute.
How did Rupert Murdoch start his career?
He inherited The Adelaide News from his father in 1952 and expanded from there, launching The Australian in 1964 and acquiring UK newspapers in 1969.
What companies does Rupert Murdoch own?
He controls News Corp (publishing) and Fox Corp (TV), which include The Wall Street Journal, The Sun, HarperCollins, and Fox News.
What is Rupert Murdoch’s religion?
He was raised Anglican but is currently not publicly practicing. He is often described as agnostic, though this is not officially confirmed.
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