Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch Marries Elena Zhukova for the Fifth Time

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, aged 93, has tied the knot once again, marking his fifth marriage at his exquisite California vineyard over the weekend. The former chairman of Fox and News Corp married 67-year-old Elena Zhukova following a brief courtship.

The picturesque wedding ceremony took place at Murdoch’s opulent Bel Air estate, Moraga, with a host of notable guests in attendance. The union between Murdoch and retired molecular biologist Zhukova was confirmed in an exclusive interview with the New York Times.

Elena Zhukova, a Moscow native, was introduced to Murdoch by his third wife, Wendi Deng. This marks Zhukova’s third marriage, her previous spouse being billionaire Alexander Zhukov. Zhukova is the mother of Darrya Zhukova, who was formerly married to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, the ex-owner of the soccer club Chelsea.

Rupert Murdoch stepped down from his leadership roles at News Corp late last year, passing the baton to his eldest son, Lachlan. Despite his semi-retired status, Murdoch remains actively engaged in the media empire as the chairman emeritus.

The wedding celebration arrives amidst a backdrop of internal changes within Murdoch’s media outlets, with staff being informed of impending restructures likely to lead to further job cuts as the organization seeks cost savings of up to $65 million.

Murdoch is slated to visit Australia in July for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of News Corp’s flagship publication, The Australian. This trip marks his first return to Australia since 2018, highlighting the significance of the occasion.

The Murdoch media conglomerates are governed through a family trust, indicating that his marital union with Zhukova is unlikely to impact the future ownership structures of his media enterprises. Upon Murdoch’s passing, the voting rights will be transferred to his four eldest offspring, Prudence, Lachlan, James, and Elisabeth.

Rupert Murdoch’s marital history includes previous unions with Patricia Booker, Anna Torv, Wendi Deng, and Jerry Hall. His marriage to Hall concluded in 2022 after six years. Noteworthy figures in Murdoch’s legacy include his children Chloe and Grace from his marriage to Wendi Deng, as well as Lachlan, James, and Elisabeth from his union with Anna Torv.