Rupert Murdoch
Executive Chairman, News Corp- News Corp
Rupert Murdoch's Journey so far ...
- Keith Rupert Murdoch, a native of Australia, graduated from the Oxford University and briefly worked with a local newspaper before taking over his family's newspaper business in 1952 following his father's demise
- At the age of 22, Rupert became the MD of News Corp Australia and bought several newspapers and magazines in the country. He bought loss-making companies and turned them around
- He slowly expanded the company and turned it into a media conglomerate in the early seventies acquiring companies outside Australia
- By early eighties, he had some big brands under his banner, notably - The Sun, News of the World, The Times of London, Chicago Sun-Times, Star, New York Post and San Antonio News. He is famously known for creating the modern tabloid
- The media mogul's next big venture was movie studio and television. Murdoch acquired Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation in 1985 and built the company from scratch. Fox produced some blockbuster films like Titanic, Avatar and Star Wars, which went on to win many awards and became top-grossing films
- In 1987, he bought a book publishing company Harper & Row and two years later he acquired another publisher Collins. Subsequently, he merged the two to form a publishing behemoth, HarperCollins
- In 1991, Murdoch launched Fox News in the US and turned it into the top news channel in the country; his television venture has resulted in immensely popular shows like The Simpsons
- In 1993, Murdoch acquired Asia's premier satellite television service Star TV for $525 million, giving him access to a bouquet of entertainment and sports channels
- The media magnate’s biggest acquisition was when he acquired The Wall Street Journal parent company, Dow Jones, in 2007 for $6 billion
- In 2013, Murdoch divided his business into two companies, 21st Century Fox Inc and News Corp; six years later Murdoch sold 20th Century Fox to Walt Disney Company for $71.3 billion. His media empire now consists of the Fox Network, Fox News, Fox Sports, The Wall Street Journal, and HarperCollins
Before you go ...
- In 2011, Murdoch’s UK tabloid News of the World got into a big scandal when its journalists and editors were accused of hacking into phones of celebrities and Britain's leading figures
- He moved to the US in 1974 and became an American citizen in 1985
Rupert Murdoch News
- Quote of the day Rupert Mudroch: ‘The world is changing very fast, big will not beat small anymore, it will be the…’Australian-born American media magnate Rupert Murdoch built a global media empire, including News Corporation and Fox Corporation, through aggressive expansion. His outlets, such as The Wall Street Journal and Fox News, significantly shaped public opinion and political discourse. Murdoch, known for his influence, has since transitioned leadership to his son, Lachlan.
- Washington Post CEO Will Lewis resigns days after major layoffs: What happened and what it means for the newspaperWashington Post CEO Will Lewis has resigned. This follows major job cuts impacting many employees. Jeff D'Onofrio is now acting CEO. The newspaper faces financial challenges. Owner Jeff Bezos expressed confidence in the future. He highlighted a strategy focused on audience data. Lewis's tenure was short but marked by significant changes.
- Trump advocates for 100 per cent MAGA-focused TikTok content but...President Trump expressed his desire for TikTok to reflect his MAGA message, but acknowledged the impracticality of a completely one-sided platform. He signed an executive order paving the way for a deal that would give American investors majority ownership of TikTok. The deal aims to meet federal divestiture requirements, with Oracle, Michael Dell, and Rupert Murdoch potentially playing significant roles.
- Succession: Murdochs is a way better showRupert Murdoch's succession battle concludes with Lachlan consolidating control over Fox News and News Corp, ensuring a continuation of conservative influence. He secured sibling support through strategic share agreements, diminishing the likelihood of a corporate challenge. This carefully orchestrated plan aims to preserve Murdoch's legacy amidst a shifting media landscape and a global rightward political trend.
- Elon Musk, world’s richest man and a Canadian citizen, landed on a secret trip in a small B.C. town; he then went to an even more stealthy areaElon Musk's recent visit to Bella Bella, British Columbia, accompanied by his son, has stirred curiosity. The trip, confirmed through flight logs and photos, involved a private plane and helicopter transfer, sparking speculation about a visit to James Murdoch's property. This occurs amidst controversy surrounding Musk's Canadian citizenship, with a petition urging its revocation due to alleged conflicts of interest.
- Murdoch to send Trump health updates to dodge Epstein trial deposition - President fears he may die before trialIn a surprising turn, Rupert Murdoch will share health updates with Donald Trump. This is part of a deal to postpone Murdoch's deposition. Trump's 10 billion dollar defamation lawsuit involves a Wall Street Journal article. It is about Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. The legal battle continues as both sides await court decisions.
- Donald Trump wants 94-year-old Rupert Murdoch be grilled in court, says he might die before trialDonald Trump wants Rupert Murdoch to testify quickly in a defamation case. The case relates to a Wall Street Journal story. Trump claims the story falsely links him to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump's lawyers cite Murdoch's age and health as reasons for the urgency. They fear he may not be able to testify later.
- Trump's Wall Street Journal suit over Epstein story faces timing hurdleDonald Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, concerning a story linking him to Jeffrey Epstein, faces potential dismissal due to a failure to comply with Florida's five-day notice law. Legal experts highlight the high bar Trump must clear, including proving the Journal acted with actual malice.
- What was JD Vance doing at Rupert Murdoch’s ranch just before WSJ dropped Trump-Epstein bombshell? Rumors swirlVice President JD Vance met with Rupert Murdoch in Montana shortly before the Wall Street Journal published a story linking Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein. The report triggered Trump’s anger and a $10 billion lawsuit. The trip was unannounced and included other Fox News executives and Murdoch’s son, Lachlan.
- Rupert Murdoch, sued by Trump, owns some of world's biggest news outlets. You won't believe his net worthMedia giant Rupert Murdoch has been sued by US President Donald Trump over a Wall Street Journal report detailing a 2003 birthday letter allegedly written by Trump to Jeffrey Epstein. Rupert Murdoch owns Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, and numerous media outlets. He also appeared at Trump's inauguration last year.
- Trump sues Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch over reporting on Epstein tiesDonald Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch following a story about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. This action coincides with the Justice Department's request to unseal grand jury transcripts in Epstein's sex trafficking case, amidst criticism over the administration's handling of the release of related documents.
- Trump directs DOJ to unseal the secret Epstein files; names, flight logs, and jury bombshells could explode into public viewAmidst growing pressure, President Trump has instructed the Justice Department to release pertinent grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein, a move that follows public criticism and demands for transparency. This directive comes amidst Trump's denial of a suggestive birthday greeting to Epstein, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, and his previous pledge to declassify Epstein-related files.
- Donald Trump supporter Rupert Murdoch's WSJ goes after the President again, calls for his impeachment following chaotic tariff rolloutA Wall Street Journal columnist suggested President Trump's trade war and subsequent market crash could lead to impeachment. Holman W. Jenkins Jr. argued Trump's tariffs, driven by "ratings-based" politics rather than policy, are destabilizing. The editorial board also cautioned that Trump's economic policies may not deliver the promised "golden age."
- Prince Harry's secret email address and Facebook account revealedPrince Harry reportedly used a secret email and Facebook account under the alias "Spike" to conceal his identity. He also settled a lawsuit against NGN for unlawful information gathering. The settlement includes a significant financial payment and a public apology from NGN for intrusions into his and his late mother's private life.
- How Prince Harry won his case against Murdoch’s News Group and what it means for the media?Prince Harry has won a landmark legal victory as News Group Newspapers, owner of The Sun, issued a historic apology and agreed to pay substantial damages for unlawful activities, including phone hacking and surveillance, spanning from 1996 to 2011. This settlement marks a significant moment in Harry’s ongoing fight against media invasions of privacy. While his legal battle continues with other tabloids, this outcome serves as a major step in his mission to hold the British press accountable for its abusive practices.
- Rupert Murdoch fails in bid to change family trust: ReportRupert Murdoch's attempt to consolidate control of his media empire under his son Lachlan has been blocked by a Nevada court commissioner. The commissioner ruled against Murdoch's proposed changes to the family trust, which would have given Lachlan ultimate authority. The trust will now divide control equally among Murdoch's four eldest children.
- Prince Harry vs. Rupert Murdoch: A royal rumble in the tabloid junglePrince Harry continues his legal battle against Rupert Murdoch's tabloids, alleging phone hacking and unethical journalism. He champions accountability and contrasts tabloid practices with the work of journalists like Maria Ressa. Despite the financial burden, Harry remains determined to fight for himself and others affected, even as he acknowledges the personal strain of media scrutiny.
- What Rupert Murdoch owns, and how he built his media empireRupert Murdoch, now in a legal battle with his children, spent seven decades building a media empire, including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal. His tenure included numerous acquisitions and controversies, like the 2011 phone-hacking scandal and allegations of spreading falsehoods about the 2020 U.S. election. Recently, he handed control to Lachlan Murdoch.
- The secret battle for the future of the Murdoch empireRupert Murdoch, in a legal dispute with three of his children over the family's media empire, sought to ensure his son Lachlan would lead the company. Murdoch argued this was necessary to maintain its conservative stance and commercial value. A trial is set for September to determine if his actions were in good faith.
- What goes on behind closed doors at America's billionaire summer camp?This week in Idaho's Sun Valley, the annual Allen & Company summit has gathered top business, media, and political leaders for what's known as the "summer camp for billionaires." Attendees, including tech giants and entertainment moguls, engage in off-the-record talks and outdoor activities. The summit, famed for spawning major deals, hosts discussions on AI, corporate leadership changes, and political futures. Notable absentees like Warren Buffett and Elon Musk underscore shifting dynamics among industry leaders, amidst speculation about upcoming elections.
- Media titan 93-year old Rupert Murdoch marries Elena Zhukova in Los AngelesRupert Murdoch, the media mogul, married Elena Zhukova, a retired molecular biologist, in an intimate ceremony at his Bel Air vineyard estate. This marks Murdoch’s fifth marriage. The couple's relationship began through mutual connections, and their engagement was announced in March. Notable guests included Robert K Kraft and Robert Thomson. Murdoch's media empire, built over decades, continues under the leadership of his son, Lachlan.
- Disney-Reliance Deal: Why Bob Iger should follow Murdoch’s lead and cash outBob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Co., is reportedly nearing a deal to sell the company's Indian operations, known as Disney Star, for billions of dollars. This comes as a new class of competition, led by Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani, disrupts the legacy media industry in India. Ambani's 4G telco has gained over 400 million customers and has built a consumer empire that blurs the lines between carriage, content, and commerce. The deal with Iger would validate Ambani's digital, retail, and consumer finance propositions, further solidifying his dominance in the Indian market.
- Rupert Murdoch's retirement raises the curtain on his last actRupert Murdoch's decision to step back from day-to-day oversight of his media empire paves the way for his son, Lachlan, to take control. However, it remains uncertain who will control the trust that votes the family's shares after Rupert Murdoch's death. Speculation suggests that a full merger between Fox Corp. and News Corp. could be attempted again, but this would likely be preceded by a sale of parts of News Corp., including its real estate business.
- Murdoch Family Trust: The real battle over succession has yet to beginLachlan Murdoch has been named the sole chairman of News Corp, putting to rest immediate questions about leadership. However, a potential power struggle could occur upon Rupert Murdoch's death, as outlined in the Murdoch Family Trust. The trust controls News Corp and Fox Corp, with Rupert Murdoch holding a 40% stake in voting shares. Upon his death, the voting shares will be transferred to his four adult children, potentially setting up a battle over the future of the companies. The trust has eight votes, with three of the children potentially out-voting the fourth.
- Rupert Murdoch steps down as chairman of Fox, News CorpRupert Murdoch, the Australian-American business magnate and media mogul, has stepped down as chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp. His more than seven-decade career saw him build a media empire that spanned Australia and the United States. His son, Lachlan Murdoch, will take over as the sole chairman of News Corp and continue as chair and CEO of Fox.
- Rupert Murdoch, 92, reportedly dating 66-year-old retired scientist Elena Zhukova: Daily MailRupert Murdoch, 92, has reportedly begun a new relationship with Elena Zhukova, 66, a retired scientist, following the collapse of his engagement to Ann Lesley Smith earlier this year. In recent sightings, the pair were seen boarding a chartered superyacht off the coast of Corfu in Greece. Reports suggest that the pair were introduced by Murdoch's former wife, Wendi Deng, who shares a friendship with Zhukova's daughter, who was once married to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. The mogul has been married four times previously.
- Simon & Schuster purchased by private equity firm KKR for $1.62 billionLate in 2020, Paramount had announced the sale of Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House for $2.2 billion, a deal that would have made the new company by far the biggest in the U.S. But the Department of Justice, which under the Biden administration has taken a tougher stance on consolidation compared to other recent presidencies, sued to block the sale in 2021.
- View: Succession is tricky, none trickier than the richest person choosing who follows himThe case of the family of Bernard Arnault, chairman-CEO of Louis Vuitton, and world's richest man, is just as speculative as the Roys and Murdochs. Eldest child, Delphine, and four sons, Antoine, Frederic, Alexandre, and Jean - each with roles in the luxury fashion house empire, vying for control. Arnault Sr responded to an analyst's question regarding succession plans earlier this year: 'You will have noticed that the retirement age is being raised.'
- Prince William got 'very large sum' in phone hack settlementPrince Harry's lawyer made the revelation in a summary of arguments about why Harry's lawsuit against the publisher of The Sun and now-defunct News Of The World should not be thrown out. The suit alleges the newspapers unlawfully gathered information in a scandal dating back two decades. News Group Newspapers, which Murdoch owns, argued that a High Court judge should throw out phone hacking lawsuits by the prince and actor Hugh Grant because the claims were brought too late.
- Rupert Murdoch testified Fox News hosts endorsed idea that Joe Biden stole electionDominion has argued that internal communications and depositions by Fox personnel prove the network knowingly spread falsehoods about Trump's loss in the 2020 U.S. presidential election in order to bolster its ratings. Fox has argued that its coverage of claims by Trump's lawyers were inherently newsworthy and protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
- Rupert Murdoch considers combining Fox, News CorpMurdoch said at the time that his vast media holdings had become "increasingly complex," and that a new structure would simplify operations. The split also shielded Fox's entertainment assets from any potential financial fall-out from a phone hacking scandal involving the media conglomerate's now-defunct News of the World publication in the United Kingdom.
- US Capitol Storming: Rupert Murdoch's son Lachlan Murdoch opens defamation suit against Australian websiteAn opinion piece on the storming of the US Capitol is being sued by media mogul Rupert Murdoch's son Lachlan Murdoch, chief executive of Fox Corp. and co-chairman of News Corp. The initial day in court for a defamation lawsuit brought by his eldest son against Australian news website Crikey was on Friday.
- Model Jerry Hall, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch finalise divorceThe ex-couple had signed a prenup, and as per reports in June, it is unlikely that the separation would alter the ownership structure for Murdoch's businesses. His stakes include the parent companies of The Wall Street Journal and Fox News. His empire includes the mighty New York Post, The Sun, and The Times of London.
- Bodhi Tree completes acquisition of 36% stake in Allen Career Institute for $600 mnAllen is one of India’s largest coaching institutes, preparing students for entrance exams for engineering and medical sciences and for other streams. Founded by Rajesh Maheshwari in 1988, it claims to have a pan-India footprint with a growing presence in the Middle East. At present, it has 138 classroom centres in 46 cities.
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