Rupert Murdoch, the 93-year-old media mogul, has tied the knot for the fifth time, marrying biologist Elena Zhukova in a private ceremony at his Bel Air estate, Moraga. The wedding, held on Saturday, was a discreet affair attended by a select group of high-profile guests, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and News Corp CEO Robert Thompson.
The couple announced their engagement in March after dating for less than nine months. Photos from the ceremony show Murdoch and his 67-year-old bride posing in a garden, with Zhukova holding a bouquet of white flowers. The event, marked by an increased security presence, saw workers transporting flowers and preparing the venue for the significant day.
Murdoch’s previous marriage to Jerry Hall ended in 2022. He began dating Zhukova last summer, following the abrupt end of his engagement to Ann Lesley Smith, a former police chaplain. Zhukova, a molecular biologist specializing in diabetes research, has lived in America for over three decades after emigrating from Russia in 1991 with her daughter, Dasha Zhukova, a well-known Russian socialite and former wife of oligarch Roman Abramovich.
Murdoch and Zhukova were introduced through Murdoch’s third wife, Wendi Deng, who remains a close friend to both. Their romance blossomed, with the pair spotted enjoying a Mediterranean cruise last August. Sources confirm that Deng played a pivotal role in their introduction.
Murdoch’s first marriage was to Patricia Booker in 1956, ending in 1967. That same year, he married Anna Mann, a Glasgow-born journalist, with whom he had three children: Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. Their marriage lasted 32 years before ending in a high-profile divorce in 1999, with Anna receiving a substantial settlement. Just 17 days after his divorce from Anna, Murdoch married Wendi Deng, with whom he had two daughters, Grace and Chloe. Their marriage ended in 2013.
Murdoch’s fourth marriage to model Jerry Hall in 2016 lasted until 2022, ending abruptly when Murdoch informed Hall of the divorce via email. Hall had hoped to inherit Moraga, the vineyard where Murdoch and Zhukova’s wedding took place, before the surprise split. Following his divorce from Hall, Murdoch briefly became engaged to Ann Lesley Smith, though the engagement was called off just two weeks later.
Murdoch has six children from his previous marriages and announced his retirement from his roles as chairman of Fox and News Corp in September. His eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, took over as chair of News Corp and continues as executive chair and CEO of Fox Corp. With his new marriage, Murdoch plans to spend his retirement at the Bel Air estate, focusing on developing a world-class winery.
Despite the vineyard not being a significant moneymaker, Murdoch is dedicated to making Moraga a notable part of his legacy. The estate, purchased in 2013 for £17.5 million, has the potential to produce exceptional wines, and Murdoch aims to showcase its unique offerings to wine enthusiasts worldwide. He sees this venture as a key part of his legacy, hoping to secure a future for the property and its wines.
In summary, Rupert Murdoch’s fifth marriage marks a new chapter in his life, as he steps back from his media empire to focus on personal pursuits and his passion for winemaking at his beloved Moraga estate.