Entertainment
Who is Rupert Murdoch’s new wife Elena Zhukova? The media mogul’s many spouses-Joel Harley-Entertainment – Metro
The brides of Rupert Murdoch.
Rupert Murdoch has married fifth wife, Elena Zhukova
Nonagenarian media magnate Rupert Murdoch has married his fifth bride this weekend, with scientist Elena Zhukova joining a long line of Murdoch wives.
The tycoon, 93, tied the knot with his latest partner at his Bel Air estate in California this weekend, surrounded by family and friends.
Murdoch has been dating Russian molecular biologist Zhukova, 67, for several months now.
This marks the media mogul’s sixth engagement – coming barely a year after his short-lived engagement to Ann Lesley Smith was broken off in April 2023.
The pair are said to have met at a party hosted by another of Murdoch’s ex-wives – entrepreneur Wendi Deng.
Struggling to keep track? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
Aussie media magnate Rupert Murdoch has a history of marriages that go back to the 1950s (Credits: PA)
Australian billionaire Rupert Murdoch began his career in the 1950s, setting his sights on the UK with his purchase of the News of The World and The Sun in 1969.
In 1996, he compounded an iron grip on the worldwide news by launching Fox News.
In September, Murdoch handed over the succession of his media empire to his son Lachlan.
Murdoch’s first wife was Patricia Brooker (Picture: REUTERS)
Who are Rupert Murdoch’s ex-wives and how many children does he have?
Murdoch has been married four times and has had six children in total.
His first marriage was to flight attendant Patricia Brooker in 1956. The couple had one child together, Prudence, in 1958.
They divorced less than ten years later, in 1967.
Murdoch (pictured far right) went on to marry journalist Anna Torv (Picture: Getty/The LIFE Picture Collection)
The same year as he divorced Patricia, he married journalist and novelist Anna Torv (not to be confused with the actress of the same name).
Scottish-born Torv (now Mann) was 13 years Murdoch’s junior – and they had three children together during their marriage; Elisabeth (born 1968), Lachlan (1971) and James (born 1972).
After they divorced in 1999, she went on to marry financier William Mann, only six months later.
Murdoch remains on good terms with third wife, Wendi Deng (Picture: Getty)
17 days after his divorce from Mann, Murdoch married entrepreneur and media mogul Wendi Deng – who was 37 years younger than the geriatric newsmaker.
During their time together, they had two children together in daughters Grace (born 2001) and Chloe (born 2003).
Following their divorce in 2013, Murdoch went on to marry model and actor Jerry Hall in 2016.
Murdoch’s marriage to Jerry Hall was next (Picture: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)
The pair’s marriage ended in 2022 – with her husband said to have broken the news via e-mail.
‘Jerry, sadly I’ve decided to call an end to our marriage,’ his e-mail allegedly went. ‘We have had some good times, but I have much to do… my New York lawyer will be contacting yours immediately.’
In 2023, he announced his engagement to model Ann Lesley Smith – aged 66 – before backtracking a mere two weeks later.
Two-week fiancee Ann Lesley Smith didn’t last long either (Picture: Splash)
According to reports by Vanity Fair, Murdoch is said to have broken off the engagement after becoming ‘increasingly uncomfortable’ with her ‘outspoken evangelical views.’
He then went on to meet his new bride Elena Zhukova at another ex-wife’s party. They announced their engagement after dating for several months and were married this weekend.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Jerry Hall ‘banned from giving Succession writers ideas’ in Rupert Murdoch divorce
Entertainment – MetroRead More
