Rupert Murdoch Children (All about his Sons and Daughters)

Rupert Murdoch Children: Rupert Murdoch has been married four times and has six children with three of his wives: Prudence (with his first wife Patricia Booker), Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James (with his second wife Anna Torv), and Chloe and Grace (with his third wife Wendi Deng).

Rupert Murdoch Children

After divorcing his fourth wife Jerry Hall in August 2022, Rupert announced his engagement to Ann Lesley Smith on March 20, 2023, but they called off the engagement a few weeks later.

Rupert’s eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, will take over his business empire, Fox Corp and News Corp. On Sept. 21, Fox News announced that Rupert will step down as chairman in November and pass his authority to Lachlan. Lachlan became chairman and CEO of FOX in 2019 and will now have the honorary title of “chairman emeritus” after his father’s retirement.

Rupert Murdoch

Keep reading to know everything about Rupert Murdoch children.

Rupert Murdoch Children

Rupert Murdoch is a big businessman in media. He has six children. Their names are Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, James, Grace Helen, and Chloe. Prudence is his oldest child. Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James are well-known in media and business like their father. Grace Helen and Chloe are less known publicly.

In media and business, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James have important roles. They work in companies that their father owns or runs. Prudence is not much in the public eye like her siblings. Grace Helen and Chloe also keep a low profile.

Here’s everything you would like to know about Rupert Murdoch children.

Prudence Murdoch

Prue Murdoch MacLeod, Rupert’s eldest child from his first marriage to Booker, was born in 1958 in Australia. When her parents split, Prue chose to live with her father and his new wife, Anna Torv, as detailed in Michael Wolff’s 2008 book, The Man Who Owns the News: Inside the Secret World of Rupert Murdoch, published in Vanity Fair. Relocating to London and later New York, she completed her high school education there.

While briefly employed at her father’s paper, News of the World, Prue has had a tumultuous relationship with Rupert. Their major falling out occurred after a 1997 press conference where Rupert referred to his “three children,” omitting Prue. In one of her rare public statements, Prue mentioned, “I rang up, I screamed at him, I hung up. He was very upset.” She recounted that Rupert later made amends by sending an extravagant gift of flowers and two clementine trees.

Prue has been married twice. Her first marriage in 1986 was to Crispin Odey, a London hedge fund manager, which ended in divorce the following year. In 1989, she married Alasdair MacLeod, despite her disapproval of his subsequent employment under Rupert, according to Wolff. Prudence and Alasdair now reside in Sydney with their three children: James, Angus, and Clementine.

Elisabeth Murdoch

Rupert’s eldest child with his second spouse, Anna, is daughter Elisabeth, born on Aug. 22, 1968, in Sydney, Australia, reportedly named after her grandmother, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. Raised in New York with a brief period at an Australian boarding school, Elisabeth attended Vassar College before assuming roles within her father’s business empire, such as managing director at BSkyB.

In addition to her corporate roles, Elisabeth pursued her entrepreneurial ambitions, initially owning NBC-affiliate stations in California and later founding Shine, an independent TV company known for producing hit reality shows like The Biggest Loser and MasterChef. Despite initial fears, she embraced the challenge of running her own business, a sentiment she shared in a 2010 interview with The Guardian.

Shine was eventually acquired by News Corporation in 2011 for $674 million, leading Elisabeth to join News Corp.’s board. However, in 2019, she launched Sister, an entertainment production company credited with producing acclaimed series like Chernobyl and Broadchurch.

Reflecting on her journey, Elisabeth acknowledged the desire for parental approval while asserting her independence. Her political stance and ambitions within her father’s media empire are influenced by her desire to avoid conflict until his passing, as hinted by a Vanity Fair source in April 2023.

On a personal note, Elisabeth has experienced three marriages and has four children. Her first marriage to Elkin Pianim in 1993 produced two daughters, Cornelia and Anna, before ending in divorce in 1998. She then married Matthew Freud in 2001, with whom she had two more children — Charlotte and Samson — before their divorce in 2014. Her third marriage in 2017 was to artist Keith Tyson.

Lachlan Murdoch

Rupert’s first son with Anna, Lachlan, was born on Sept. 8, 1971, in London. Raised in New York, he attended various private schools before studying philosophy at Princeton University. He joined his father’s business right after college, overseeing newspapers in Australia and the U.S. before becoming the deputy COO at News Corp. in 1997.

Despite his family ties, Lachlan sought to establish himself independently. In 2005, he left News Corp. to launch Illyria in Australia, investing in struggling radio stations and turning them around.

Lachlan emphasized self-reliance in his decision, stating, “In life, you back yourself.” He believed in the importance of separating from the family business to build confidence and take risks.

Returning to News Corp. and 21st Century Fox in 2014 as non-executive co-chairman marked a significant shift. His reentry was perceived as a challenge to his brother James’s aspirations, causing tension within the family.

Lachlan’s rise continued as he became executive chairman at 21st Century Fox in 2015 and chairman and CEO at Fox in 2019. His succession as Rupert’s heir in September 2023 marked a pivotal moment, acknowledging his father’s legacy and impact on the media industry.

Married to Australian model Sarah O’Hare since 1998, Lachlan and Sarah have three children: Kalan, Aidan, and Aerin.

James Murdoch

James Murdoch, born on December 13, 1972, in London, took a different path compared to his older siblings in his career journey. He began at Harvard University but left to establish Rawkus Records, a hip-hop label featuring artists like Mos Def and Eminem. The label was later acquired by News Corp. in 1998.

Following this, James dedicated over two decades to working within his family’s business empire. His roles included deputy COO of News Corp. in 2011 and CEO of 21st Century Fox in 2015. However, he distanced himself starting in 2019, leaving Fox after its acquisition by Disney and officially resigning from News Corp. in 2020 due to disagreements over editorial content and strategic decisions.

Reports suggest that James aims to reform Fox News, a task he may pursue with support from his sisters after Rupert’s eventual passing. Alongside his wife Kathryn, he manages the Quadrivium foundation, backing causes such as voter engagement, democracy, and climate initiatives.

Despite his family’s conservative leanings, James is known for his liberal views and ongoing political debates with his father. With three children, he isn’t interested in building a family business dynasty, stating, “There’s no empire, there’s no future dynasty.”

Grace Helen Murdoch

Grace Helen Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch’s eldest child with Wendi Deng and his fifth child overall, was born on November 19, 2001. Growing up in New York, she completed her education at the Brearley School in June 2020, as seen on her Instagram. Currently enrolled at Yale University, Grace shares a notably close bond with her billionaire father. Captioning a series of photos together on Instagram, she referred to him as her “favorite person.” Expressing gratitude on his 90th birthday, she wrote, “I am incredibly fortunate to be your daughter.”

Chloe Murdoch

Chloe, Rupert Murdoch’s second child with Wendi Deng, was born on July 17, 2003. Raised in New York alongside her older sister, she currently studies at Stanford University, according to her Instagram profile.

Despite her parents’ prominence, Chloe maintains a low-key presence, with no public social media accounts. Occasionally, she appears on her mother’s Instagram, where Wendi celebrated her 18th birthday in 2020, calling her “the most wonderful 18-year-old daughter.” A year earlier, Wendi described Chloe as “beautiful, incredible, unique” in another Instagram post.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Rupert Murdoch children has made significant contributions to the media and business worlds. Through their various roles and endeavors, Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, James, Grace Helen, and Chloe Murdoch have each left their mark on their father’s legacy. Their involvement in philanthropy and public appearances has also shown a commitment to making a positive impact beyond their professional endeavors. As they continue to navigate their careers and personal lives, the Murdoch family remains a notable force in global media and business landscapes.

Rupert Murdoch Children (All about his Sons and Daughters) – FAQs

Who are Rupert Murdoch six children?

   – Prudence Murdoch

   – Elisabeth Murdoch

   – Lachlan Murdoch

   – James Murdoch

   – Grace Helen Murdoch

   – Chloe Murdoch

What are their roles in media and business?

 They hold various positions across different media and business ventures, contributing to their father’s legacy.

Do they engage in philanthropic efforts?

Yes, they are involved in charitable activities, supporting different causes and organizations.

Have they made public appearances related to their family or businesses?

Yes, they have appeared publicly in events related to media, business, and philanthropy.

What might be their legacy and impact on the media industry?

Their contributions and roles are part of Rupert Murdoch’s vast media empire, shaping the industry and leaving a lasting impact on media and business landscapes.