Murdoch Family: After Rupert Murdoch’s death, which of his children will have the most shares, voting rights, and control over the companies News Corp and Fox?
A legal battle is underway in the United States over the future of Rupert Murdoch’s $19.5 billion media empire and his family trust. The case, which pits the 93-year-old Murdoch against his three children, aims to determine which of his children will hold the most shares, voting rights, and control over News Corp and Fox after his death. The lawsuit, which began on Monday, September 17, in Nevada, will continue for two weeks.
Murdoch Family, According to the website The Conversation, the case centers on the family trust agreement signed in 1999, during Rupert’s divorce from his wife Anna. Under this irrevocable trust agreement, all four of Rupert’s children—Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James—are set to inherit equal shares after his death.
Anna arranged this agreement to ensure the long-term future of her four children and protect them from any actions taken by Rupert’s new wife, Wendi Deng. When Rupert later had two more children with Wendi, Grace and Chloe, they were given equal access to the money, but no say in the company’s decisions.
Murdoch Family, Last November, Rupert began legal action to cancel this irrevocable trust agreement to give his chosen successor, Lachlan, full control. He justified this by saying the survival of the company depends on its right-wing stance, and the other three siblings might push for political changes. This move reportedly shocked the other siblings and led to intense conflicts—even Elisabeth, who had always sought to bring peace to the family, was furious.
Murdoch Family Succession Drama
Inspired By “Succession”
Murdoch Family, The well-known Murdoch family has been a source of inspiration for the hit TV series Succession. However, the Murdochs have consistently declined to comment on this connection. Rupert, who has been married five times, also has two younger children, Grace and Chloe, who have no voting rights in the family trust according to the agreement.
Since the 1960s, Rupert Murdoch built his media empire into a powerful force with extensive political and public influence. His companies News Corp and Fox own newspapers like The Times and The Sun in the UK and The Wall Street Journal and Fox News in the US, forming the backbone of his empire.
Murdoch Family, The decision to appoint Lachlan as Rupert’s uncontested successor seems to be politically motivated, even though The Conversation reports that father and son have different political approaches. Rupert prefers to stay hands-on and involved, whereas Lachlan doesn’t seem as eager to take on such a role. For instance, Rupert once tweeted about wind energy: “Windmills are uneconomical and bird killers.”
Murdoch also strongly supported George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq in 2003, stating, “We cannot retreat.” Rupert’s political views are often strong and provocative, with little tolerance for opposing perspectives, whereas Lachlan tends to remain more low-key and follows a more moderate, rational political path.
Murdoch Family, While Rupert is personally a supporter of stricter gun control laws and aligns closely with neoconservatives like George W. Bush in foreign policy, he has been critical of Donald Trump and doesn’t fully align with Fox News’ stance. However, he sees Fox News as a commercial necessity.
Despite their differences, Lachlan is currently Rupert’s chosen successor, which has prompted the other three siblings—Prudence, Elisabeth, and James—to unite in opposition. The private court proceedings are being held at the Washoe County Courthouse in Reno, Nevada.
Murdoch Family, Media are banned from attending the hearings. According to a report by The New York Times, which gained access to sealed court documents, it is expected that the hearings will continue next week, with testimony from the media mogul himself and his four named children in the family trust.
Also Read:
Prince Harry’s Emotional Return To The U.K. For A Heartfelt Charity Event
Front Row Fashion Icons: Normani And Shailene Woodley At Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2025 Show
