Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch, 93, Set to Marry Russian Scientist Elena Zhukova
Rupert Murdoch, the influential media mogul who turns 93 next week, is preparing to tie the knot once again. His representative confirmed on Saturday that he is engaged to Elena Zhukova, a retired Russian scientist whom he met last year. This will be Murdoch’s fifth marriage, and the couple seems to have found love despite their significant age difference.
Elena Zhukova, 67, was previously married to Alexander Zhukov, a billionaire energy investor and Russian politician. Their daughter, Dasha, was once married to Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire who was the former owner of Premier League football club Chelsea. It seems that love and wealth run in the family.
Murdoch’s career in the media industry has been nothing short of remarkable. In 1952, he inherited a newspaper from his father in his native Australia. Over the years, he transformed it into a global news and entertainment empire that has shaped modern American politics. His media holdings include iconic newspapers like The Times of London and The Wall Street Journal.
One of Murdoch’s most significant contributions to the media landscape is the creation of Fox News Channel. Launched in 1996, the 24-hour network has become a trusted news source for many conservative audiences and politicians in the United States. Its influence on television cannot be overstated.
However, Fox News has not been without its controversies. Last year, the network paid a staggering $787 million to settle a defamation lawsuit related to its coverage of false claims about the 2020 presidential election results. This incident highlighted the challenges faced by Murdoch’s media empire.
In addition to Fox News, Murdoch also founded the Fox broadcast network, which successfully challenged the dominance of ABC, CBS, and NBC. The network introduced groundbreaking shows like “The Simpsons” and further solidified Murdoch’s influence in the entertainment industry. He has also controlled the New York Post, a popular conservative outlet.
Murdoch’s personal life has been as eventful as his professional one. He has been married four times and has six children from three of his marriages. His family is estimated to have a wealth of around $19 billion, according to Forbes. Interestingly, Murdoch’s family is said to have inspired the hit HBO drama series “Succession,” which delves into the power struggles within a wealthy media dynasty.
His most recent marriage, to model and actor Jerry Hall, ended in divorce after six years in 2022. They did not have any children together. Prior to Hall, Murdoch was married to Patricia Booker, an Australian, with whom he had a daughter named Prudence. He then tied the knot with Scottish-born journalist Anna Torv, and they had three children together: Lachlan, James, and Elisabeth. These four Murdoch children have equal stakes in the family trust and have an equal say in its voting stock.
Following his divorce from Torv, Murdoch married Wendi Deng, a Chinese-born woman with whom he had two daughters, Grace and Chloe. However, their marriage ended in 2013. Last spring, Murdoch was briefly engaged to Ann Lesley Smith for about two weeks.
Now, as Murdoch prepares to embark on his fifth marriage, the world watches with curiosity. The love story between the media mogul and the Russian scientist is certainly an unexpected one. With their backgrounds and experiences, they bring together a unique blend of cultures and perspectives.
As Rupert Murdoch enters this new chapter of his life, it remains to be seen how his media empire will continue to evolve under the leadership of his son, Lachlan. One thing is for sure: Rupert Murdoch’s influence on the media industry is undeniable, and his personal life continues to captivate the public’s attention.
