Rupert Murdoch Got Married for a Fifth Time — Meet His Wife and Ex-Wives
Rupert's new wife used to work as a molecular biologist.
Updated June 3 2024, 1:29 p.m. ET
You're never too old to find love! Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, 93, who owns all of News Corp, got married — for the fifth time — in June 2024.
So, who is the lucky lady? Plus, who are Rupert's previous wives? Keep scrolling to find out.
Meet Rupert Murdoch's wife, Elena Zhukova.
Rupert and retired molecular biologist Elen Zhukova, 67, got married on June 1, 2024, at his vineyard in Bel-Air, Calif.
The media tycoon reportedly started dating Elena — who was once married to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich — in summer 2023, with the pair getting engaged in March 2024.
Elena is also mother to Russian-American art collector and businesswoman Dasha Zhukova, who founded the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and Garage magazine.
Rupert Murdoch was previously engaged to Ann Lesley Smith.
Rupert met former dental hygienist turned San Francisco police chaplain Ann Lesley Smith, now 67, in September 2022, with the pair announcing their engagement in March 2023.
At the time of their engagement, Ann — who was previously married to the late Chester Smith, a country singer and radio and TV executive — told the New York Post that for her and Rupert, find each other and falling and love was "a gift from God."
She told the outlet: "I’m a widow 14 years. Like Rupert, my husband was a businessman. Worked for local papers, developed radio and TV stations and helped promote Univision. So I speak Rupert’s language. We share the same beliefs."
Rupert shared that they met at his vineyard, as they were both in the wine business. Rupert chatted her up. Two weeks later he decided to call her back and the rest was history.
“We’re both looking forward to spending the second half of our lives together," Rupert added. Their wedding was slated to be in the late summer.
But the pair abruptly called their engagement off in April 2023.
Rupert Murdoch with ex-wives Jerry Hall (L) and Wendi Murdoch (R).
Rupert Murdoch has four ex-wives.
The news of Rupert's short-lived engagement to Ann Lesley Smith came seven months after he finalized his divorce from model Jerry Hall. Per the LA Times, Rupert and Jerry got married in 2016. They made headlines in June 2022 when they announced they were separating.
Prior to Jerry, Rupert was married to entrepreneur Wendi (Deng) Murdoch from 1999 to 2013. During their marriage, they had two daughters, Chloe and Grace.
Rupert was also married to Scottish journalist Anna Murdoch for 32 years. They share three children together: Elizabeth, James, and Lachlan.
Last but not least, Rupert's first marriage was to the late flight attendant Patricia Booker. They tied the knot in 1956 and divorced in 1965. They had one daughter together named Prudence.
Congrats to Rupert and Elena on their wedding!
