Media magnate Rupert Murdoch has officially announced his engagement to his long-time girlfriend, confirmed by his team.
The 92-year-old tycoon is said to have been in a relationship with retired Russian molecular biologist Elena Zhukova, aged 67, for several months now.
The upcoming wedding is anticipated to be held at Mr. Murdoch’s Moraga vineyard and estate in California later this year, marking his fifth marriage but sixth engagement.
As disclosed by the New York Times, the wedding ceremony is scheduled for June, with invitations already dispatched.
The Australian-born Murdoch’s romantic involvement with Ms. Zhukova began to surface shortly after his engagement to Ann Lesley Smith was abruptly terminated in April 2023.
Their acquaintance reportedly began at a social gathering hosted by one of Murdoch’s former spouses, Chinese-born entrepreneur Wendi Deng.
Mr. Murdoch’s previous marriages include unions with Australian flight attendant Patricia Booker, Scottish-born journalist Anna Mann, Ms. Deng, and US model and actress Jerri Hall.
Ms. Zhukova was previously married to Russian oil tycoon Alexander Zhukov, while their daughter Dasha, a prominent socialite and businesswoman, was formerly married to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich until 2017.
Rupert Murdoch’s media career spans back to the 1950s in Australia, where he later acquired the News of the World and The Sun newspapers in the UK in 1969.
Subsequently, he acquired several US publications, including the New York Post and the Wall Street Journal.
In 1996, he launched Fox News, which has since become the most-watched TV news channel in the US.
Through News Corp, established in 2013, Mr. Murdoch retains ownership of numerous local, national, and international media outlets.
His career has been marked by controversy, notably the UK phone hacking scandal involving the News of the World, which stirred public outcry after revelations of privacy breaches.
In September, Mr. Murdoch announced his decision to step back from the forefront of his media empire, entrusting the reins to his son Lachlan, while assuming the role of Chairman Emeritus of both Fox and News Corp.
The New York Times suggests that Mr. Murdoch’s impending marriage to Ms. Zhukova is unlikely to impact the trajectory of his businesses, as they are held in a trust overseen by his four eldest children.
