Rupert Murdoch's Grand Encore: Media Mogul Engages Russian Girlfriend Elena Zhukova, Charting a New Chapter at 92
Renowned media magnate Rupert Murdoch, at the age of 92, is set to embark on his fifth marriage, confirming his engagement to 67-year-old retired Russian molecular biologist Elena Zhukova. The couple, reportedly dating for several months, is poised to tie the knot at Murdoch's Moraga vineyard and estate in California later this year, marking the tycoon's sixth engagement.
The forthcoming nuptials, slated for June, have already garnered attention as invitations have been discreetly dispatched. Murdoch, an Australian-born mogul, was rumored to have developed a romantic connection with Zhukova following the abrupt cancellation of his engagement to ex-police chaplain Ann Lesley Smith in April 2023. The duo reportedly crossed paths at a gathering hosted by one of Murdoch's former wives, Chinese-born entrepreneur Wendi Deng.
Notably, Murdoch's previous marital history includes unions with Australian flight attendant Patricia Booker, Scottish-born journalist Anna Mann, Deng, and US model-actress Jerry Hall. Zhukova, on the other hand, was previously wed to Russian oil billionaire Alexander Zhukov, and their daughter, Dasha, gained fame as a socialite and businesswoman, being formerly married to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich until 2017.
Rupert Murdoch's illustrious career commenced in Australia during the 1950s, evolving into the ownership of prominent UK newspapers, including the News of the World and The Sun in 1969. Expanding his influence to the United States, Murdoch acquired notable publications such as the New York Post and Wall Street Journal. In 1996, he launched Fox News, which has since become the most-watched TV news channel in the US.
Despite his considerable success, Murdoch's career has not been devoid of controversy. A pivotal and damaging moment was the UK phone hacking scandal involving the News of the World, which came to light after the revelation that the newspaper had listened to the voicemails of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.
In September, Murdoch made headlines by announcing his withdrawal from the leading role in his media empire, relinquishing control to his son Lachlan. He assumed the role of Chairman Emeritus of both Fox and News Corp.
The impending marriage to Zhukova is anticipated to have minimal impact on Murdoch's business empire, held in trust by his four eldest children. Despite his stepping back from the forefront, Murdoch's enduring influence on the media landscape persists through News Corp, founded in 2013, maintaining ownership of numerous local, national, and international media outlets. As the tycoon enters a new chapter in his personal life, the legacy of his media empire remains under the stewardship of his family.
