Rupert Murdoch: Media tycoon marries Elena Zhukova
How has Lachlan Murdoch's role in the Murdoch media empire evolved over recent years?
Lachlan Murdoch's role in the Murdoch media empire has evolved significantly in recent years. As the eldest son of Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan has been groomed for a leadership position within the family's vast media holdings, which include News Corp and Fox Corporation.
In 2015, Lachlan was named co-chairman of 21st Century Fox, working alongside his brother James. This marked the beginning of a more prominent role for Lachlan within the family business. Following the sale of 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets to Disney in 2019, Lachlan became CEO and executive chairman of Fox Corporation, which controls the Murdoch family's television assets, including Fox News and Fox Sports.
In recent years, Lachlan has taken on an even greater role within the empire, as his father began to step back from day-to-day operations. In September 2023, Rupert Murdoch announced that he was stepping down from his leadership roles at Fox and News Corp, leaving Lachlan to head both companies5. Lachlan now serves as chairman of News Corp and continues as CEO and executive chairman of Fox Corporation.
As Lachlan's responsibilities within the Murdoch media empire have grown, so too has his influence over the direction of the companies. He has been involved in major decisions, such as the $787.5 million defamation settlement to Dominion Voting Systems over Fox News' false claims of 2020 election fraud, and the decision to fire the network's top-rated anchor, Tucker Carlson.
Despite this increased power and influence, Lachlan still shares crucial voting rights with his siblings Prudence, Elisabeth, and James in the family trust fund, which is the largest shareholder of both Fox and News Corp. Each sibling has one vote, while Rupert Murdoch has four. This structure ensures that important decisions will continue to involve the entire family, and that Lachlan's leadership will be subject to the approval of his siblings.
In summary, Lachlan Murdoch's role within the Murdoch media empire has evolved from a potential heir to a central leadership position, culminating in his current role as chairman of News Corp and CEO and executive chairman of Fox Corporation. His influence over the direction of these companies is likely to grow in the coming years, as his father continues to step back from the business.
How has Rupert Murdoch's role in his media empire changed in recent years, particularly regarding his position at Fox and News Corp?
Rupert Murdoch's role in his media empire has undergone significant changes in recent years, particularly in his position at Fox and News Corp. In September 2023, Murdoch announced that he was stepping back from his leading role in his media empire and handed the reins to his son Lachlan. Subsequently, he took on the role of Chairman Emeritus of both Fox and News Corp. This marked the formal end of a seven-decade career that saw Murdoch build one of the world's most influential media empires4.
Under his leadership, News Corporation grew into a global media conglomerate, owning numerous local, national, and international media outlets, including Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, the Sun, and the Times. Murdoch's influence extended beyond media ownership, as he strategically used his platforms to shape political outcomes and support preferred candidates in various countries, most notably in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
However, Murdoch's career has not been without controversy. The phone-hacking scandal in the UK, which involved the News of the World listening to voicemails of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, was one of the most damaging moments for Murdoch and his empire. Despite these challenges, he has remained a significant force in global media and politics.
Now at the age of 93, Murdoch has married for a fifth time and continues to maintain a presence in the media landscape. While his day-to-day involvement in the operations of his companies may have diminished, his influence and legacy as a media tycoon remain strong.
What is the significance of Rupert Murdoch marrying for the fifth time at his Californian vineyard?
Rupert Murdoch's marriage to Elena Zhukova at his Californian vineyard marks his fifth time walking down the aisle. This union holds personal significance for the 93-year-old media tycoon, who has had a string of high-profile relationships and marriages throughout his life.
Murdoch's previous marriages include:
- Patricia Booker, an Australian flight attendant, with whom he has a daughter named Prudence.
- Anna Mann, a Scottish-born journalist, with whom he has three children: Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James.
- Wendi Deng, a Chinese-born entrepreneur, with whom he has two daughters: Grace and Chloe.
- Jerry Hall, a US model and actress, whom he divorced in 2022.
The marriage to Zhukova, a 67-year-old retired molecular biologist, comes after Murdoch's brief engagement to former police chaplain Ann Lesley Smith, which was called off in April 2023. The couple is said to have met at a party hosted by one of his ex-wives, Wendi Deng.
On a professional note, Murdoch is the chairman emeritus of News Corporation, a media conglomerate that owns Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, the Sun, and the Times6. He stepped down as chairman of Fox and News Corp last year, leaving his son Lachlan to head both companies6.
The wedding ceremony, held at Murdoch's estate Moraga in Bel Air, California, was attended by several high-powered individuals, such as New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and News Corp chief executive Robert Thompson.
In summary, the significance of Rupert Murdoch marrying for the fifth time at his Californian vineyard is a personal milestone for the media tycoon, reflecting his ongoing desire for companionship and love later in life.