Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, 92, is planning to marry retired molecular biologist Elena Zhukova in a ceremony at his California vineyard, marking another chapter in his eventful personal life.
Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old media tycoon, is preparing to marry for the fifth time, announcing his engagement to 67-year-old retired molecular biologist Elena Zhukova. The wedding is scheduled to occur in June at Murdoch’s vineyard estate in California. This engagement comes after Murdoch, who has a net worth of $8.96 billion and is known for founding major media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal and Fox News, recently stepped down from his executive roles within his company, News Corp. The transition of leadership has now been passed to his son, Lachlan Murdoch.
Elena Zhukova, who has a distinguished career as a molecular diabetes specialist, was previously married to a British billionaire energy investor. She also has familial ties to the Russian billionaire Alexander Zhukov, making her the mother of socialite Dasha Zhukova.
Murdoch’s personal life has continually attracted public interest, with his marriage to Zhukova marking his fifth. His previous marriages included high-profile figures such as Jerry Hall, Wendi Deng (through whom he reportedly met Zhukova), Anna Murdoch Mann, and Patricia Booker. Murdoch has six children from these relationships.
The upcoming nuptials follow a brief engagement Murdoch had in 2023 with Ann Lesley Smith and comes after a year of significant developments in Murdoch’s business career, including stepping back from his leading role at News Corp and dealing with a substantial legal settlement related to Fox News and Dominion over election-related allegations.
Despite these developments and his significant influence in the media world, Murdoch’s engagement and forthcoming marriage to Zhukova are seen as personal milestones that are not expected to affect his media empire, which remains under the control of a family trust and his corporate succession plans.
