Rupert Murdoch: A Glimpse Into The Life Of The Media Tycoon And His Family

Author Dalboyy 13 Nov 2024

Rupert Murdoch, at the age of 91, is a name synonymous with media influence. Known as a media tycoon, Murdoch has not only built a vast business empire but has also played a significant role as a family man, raising seven children who have all reached adulthood. His life reflects the complexities of balancing a demanding career with family responsibilities. From his early days as a newspaper publisher to his expansive reach across global media, Murdoch’s story is one of ambition and personal commitment.

Murdoch began his family journey in 1956 when he married model Patricia Booker. Their union produced their only child, Prudence, born in 1958. However, the couple divorced in 1967. That same year, Murdoch married journalist Anna Mann (Torv), with whom he welcomed three children: Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. After his marriage to Anna ended in 1999, he went on to marry Wendi Deng, who bore him two daughters, Grace and Chloe. Each relationship has contributed to Murdoch's legacy, intertwining his professional life with his personal experiences.

In 2016, Murdoch married for the fourth time, to model Jerry Hall, a former partner of Mick Jagger. Although they did not have children together, their relationship added another chapter to his life story. However, in June 2022, they announced their separation. This article delves into the lives of Rupert's children from his first three marriages, showcasing the unique paths they've taken and how they navigate their father's towering legacy.

Prudence MacLeod
Elisabeth Murdoch
Lachlan Murdoch
James Murdoch
Grace & Chloe Murdoch

Prudence MacLeod

Prudence “Prue” Murdoch MacLeod was born in 1958 in Adelaide, South Australia. She is the daughter of Patricia, a former model and flight attendant, and Rupert. Prudence has been married twice: first to Crispin Odey for only one year, and then to Alasdair MacLeod in 1989, with whom she has three children: James, Angus, and Clementine.

Following in her father's footsteps, Prudence has held directorial roles within Rupert’s News Corporation and is currently a board member of Times Newspapers, Ltd. Interestingly, she has also worked as a journalist and tabloid researcher for News of the World.

Prudence has expressed a desire to remain low-key, stating, “I’ve always been low-key and not many people know about me… I just love that.” Together with Alasdair, she founded Macdoch Ventures, which aims to support late-stage founders in Australia and New Zealand.

Elisabeth Murdoch

Elisabeth is Rupert’s only daughter from his marriage to Anna, born on August 22, 1968, in Sydney. She attended the Brearly School in New York and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Vassar College. Over the years, she has been married three times, first to Elkin Kwesi Pianim from 1993 to 1998, with whom she shares two children: Cornelia and Anna.

In 2001, she married Matthew Freud, a PR executive and the great-grandson of Sigmund Freud. They had two children together, but details about them remain private. After their divorce in 2014, Elisabeth married artist Keith Tyson in 2017. She founded the production company Shine Group in 2001, which she sold back to Rupert’s News Corp in 2011, greatly increasing her wealth.

Lachlan Murdoch

Born on September 8, 1971, in London, Lachlan Keith Murdoch is Rupert’s first son with Anna. Growing up surrounded by media, he attended Phillips Academy in Massachusetts and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in philosophy from Princeton University in 1994. Lachlan is currently the executive chairman of Nova Entertainment, co-chairman of News Corp, and CEO of Fox Corporation.

In 1999, he married actress Sarah O’Hare, and together they have three children: Kalan Alexander, Aidan Patrick, and Aerin Elisabeth. Their family resides in several multimillion-dollar estates across Australia and the United States.

James Murdoch

James Rupert Jacob Murdoch was born on December 13, 1972, in London, just a year after his brother Lachlan. Reports indicate that he currently lacks a relationship with his father. James attended Harvard but dropped out, eventually starting a record label called Rawkus Records. He later became the CEO of 20th Century Fox from 2015 to 2019.

James married Kathryn Hufschmid in 2000, and they have three children: Anneka, Walter, and Emerson. Together, they established