Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, aged 92, has revealed plans to embark on yet another chapter of love, as reported by The New York Times. Murdoch disclosed on Thursday his intentions to marry his girlfriend, Elena Zhukova, with the ceremony slated for June.
This forthcoming union marks Murdoch's fifth venture into matrimony, a fact that often captivates the tabloid media landscape he played a significant role in shaping across three continents.
Last year, Murdoch had announced his engagement to Ann Lesley Smith, a dental hygienist who later transitioned into a conservative radio host. However, the engagement was abruptly called off less than a month later.
Zhukova, a retired molecular biologist originally from Russia, stands at the age of 67, making her a quarter-century younger than Murdoch, according to The Times. Notably, Zhukova's daughter, Dasha Zhukova, renowned as an arts patron and entrepreneur, was previously married to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
Reportedly, Murdoch's upcoming wedding will be hosted at his estate in Moraga, California, which includes a vineyard. His previous marriage was to model Jerry Hall, formerly associated with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
Murdoch's marital history has been eventful. He was initially married to Patricia Booker, an Australian flight attendant, before divorcing in the late 1960s. His second wife, Anna Torv, a newspaper reporter, shared more than 30 years of companionship with Murdoch before their divorce in 1999. The marriage to Wendi Deng, his third wife, concluded in 2013.
Despite his personal affairs, Murdoch's professional legacy looms large. As the head of a media empire encompassing The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, and other influential platforms, Murdoch's net worth is estimated to exceed $20 billion, according to Forbes.
In a significant transition, Murdoch passed the reins of his global media conglomerate to his son Lachlan in November, assuming an emeritus status.
