A Joyful Ceremony at Murdoch’s Estate
At age 93, Rupert Murdoch is once again a newlywed. The media mogul and former News Corp executive chairman married his girlfriend Elena Zhukova on Saturday. A representative for Murdoch confirmed the news to USA TODAY.
Wedding Details
Photos from the wedding, show Murdoch posing with Zhukova, who held a bouquet of flowers. The ceremony took place at Murdoch’s vineyard and estate in California.
Engagement and Relationship Timeline
Murdoch announced his engagement to Zhukova, a 67-year-old retired molecular biologist, in March, just days before his 93rd birthday. According to The Guardian, the couple met at a gathering hosted by Wendi Deng, Murdoch’s third wife. They have been together since last summer, as reported by The New York Times.
Previous Marriages and Family
Murdoch was most recently married to model Jerry Hall from 2016 to 2022. Despite their divorce, their attorneys told USA TODAY, “They remain good friends and wish each other the best for the future.”
In 2023, Murdoch became engaged to Ann Lesley Smith, but the engagement was called off soon after it was announced.
Murdoch’s earlier marriages include Patricia Booker (1956-1965), Anna Torv (1967-1999), and Wendi Deng (1999-2013). He has six children: Prudence, Elisabeth, Grace, Chloe, Lachlan, and James.
In September, Murdoch stepped down as chair of Fox Corporation and executive chairman of News Corp. His son Lachlan succeeded him. Reflecting on his career, Murdoch stated, “Neither excessive pride nor false humility are admirable qualities. But I am truly proud of what we have achieved collectively through the decades, and I owe much to my colleagues, whose contributions to our success have sometimes been unseen outside the company but are deeply appreciated by me.”