Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, 93, has tied the knot for the fifth time in a ceremony held at his Californian vineyard. The bride, Elena Zhukova, 67, is a retired Russian biologist.
The couple’s nuptials took place on Saturday amidst a gathering of close family and friends. This union comes after Murdoch’s previous engagement to ex-police chaplain Ann Lesley Smith was abruptly called off in April 2023, sparking rumours about his burgeoning relationship with Ms Zhukova.
Murdoch, the Australian-born chairman emeritus of News Corporation, has a storied career in media. He is the father of six children and stepped down last year from his roles as chairman of Fox and News Corp, handing the reins to his son, Lachlan Murdoch.
Murdoch and Zhukova reportedly met at a party hosted by one of Murdoch’s ex-wives, Chinese-born entrepreneur Wendi Deng. His previous marriages include Australian flight attendant Patricia Booker, Scottish-born journalist Anna Mann, and US model and actress Jerry Hall.
Elena Zhukova was previously married to Russian oil billionaire Alexander Zhukov. Their daughter, Dasha, is a well-known socialite and businesswoman who was married to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich until 2017.
Rupert Murdoch’s career began in the 1950s in Australia, expanding globally with significant acquisitions such as the UK’s News of the World and the Sun in 1969, followed by US publications including the New York Post and Wall Street Journal. In 1996, he launched Fox News, which has become the most-watched TV news channel in the United States.
Despite his professional successes, Murdoch’s career has been marred by controversies, notably the UK phone-hacking scandal involving the News of the World, where the newspaper was found to have listened to murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler’s voicemails.
Last September, Murdoch announced his decision to step back from the helm of his media empire, appointing his son Lachlan as the new leader, while he assumed the role of Chairman Emeritus of both Fox and News Corp.
As Rupert Murdoch enters this new chapter of his personal life, the media world watches closely, reflecting on the remarkable and sometimes turbulent journey of one of its most influential figures.
Credit: BBC
