Age is no obstacle to happiness
Rupert Murdoch, the American media magnate, is set to marry for the fifth time this year. The partner will be Elena Zhukova, a 67-year-old microbiologist from Moscow. The New York Times reported this development, citing sources close to Murdoch.
According to the report, the couple began their relationship last summer and plan to wed next June. Invitations have been sent, and the ceremony is slated to take place at Moraga Vineyards, Murdoch’s California estate. The vineyard spans about six hectares in a prestigious area nearby.
“Murdoch has decided it is time to pass the reins of his media empire at the age of 92, yet he appears convinced that age does not block new love or a fresh marriage,” the newspaper noted.
The forthcoming marriage is not expected to disrupt the business, which is structured around a family trust that Murdoch itself controls along with his four eldest children. One child comes from his first marriage, while the other three are from his second marriage.
Before meeting Zhukova, Murdoch experienced a rapid breakup with a former partner, Anne Leslie Smith. Through his third wife, he was connected to a retired scientist from Russia. British tabloids and Russian outlets described the connection, noting that Zhukova’s daughter Daria was among those involved in the introductions. Reports suggested the meeting occurred through Daria, the daughter of Zhukova’s former husband, a figure associated with the Abramovich family.
In August, Murdoch and Zhukova took a Mediterranean yacht trip in what was described as the early phase of their relationship. The voyage included Murdoch’s children, and the billionaire rented the legendary Christina O, a vessel associated with cinema history. The Daily Mail noted that the weekly cost of renting a superyacht can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.
What is known about Murdoch’s fiancée
Elena Zhukova was born in Moscow in January 1957. Her early interests included chemistry and biology, and she completed her studies at the Moscow State Pedagogical Institute in 1979. She began her scientific career at a central institute focused on hematology and blood transfusion under the USSR health ministry, which is now part of the Hematology Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. Zhukova achieved the rank of candidate of biological sciences.
She married Alexander, a graduate from the Moscow State University’s Institute of Asian and African Studies, and adopted the surname Zhukova. In the 1990s, her husband found success in oil trading and moved to England. Zhukova later separated from him and emigrated to the United States, where she worked at the University of California, Los Angeles, and published scientific papers on diabetes.
Her second marriage was abroad, to biologist Georgy Gause from Russia. They met in 1990 when Gause was defending his candidate dissertation. Gause died in 1999.
Zhukova has a daughter, Daria, from her first husband, and a daughter, Katherine, and a son, George, from her second husband. Not all are based in Russia. Daria founded the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow, while Katherine engages in art and gallery management, and George pursues music composition. Zhukova’s eldest daughter was once married to Abramovich from 2008 to 2017.
Business leadership and personal life
Murdoch built News Corporation and later 21st Century Fox, creating one of the world’s largest media empires. He began with a small newspaper inherited from his father and expanded by acquiring a wide range of publications and networks. The public figure has often been compared to a fictional business executive seen in popular media. In September 2023, Murdoch announced steps toward stepping back from the role of chairman of his companies, signaling a shift in the leadership of his media holdings.
“The time has come for new roles and a healthy future for our enterprises. I remain optimistic about the years ahead, and I plan to stay involved,” he stated in a public address.
Murdoch’s personal life has repeatedly captured attention. In March 2023, he announced an engagement to Ann Leslie Smith, a widow known for her stage and public presence. Reports noted that a substantial engagement gift was initially offered but later resolved in a different way. Media commentary highlighted differences in religious views and the background of Smith, who had served in police chaplaincy roles.
Family commentary from Murdoch’s daughter Elizabeth suggested that women have long held sway in the family circle. Murdoch’s second wife, Anna, with whom he was linked for more than three decades, spoke of his public life and charitable work, often noting his strong control over personal and professional affairs. In those years, colleagues recalled him as a driven and sometimes solitary figure, who found it difficult to unwind after work.
Observers describe him as a formidable business leader with a complicated personal landscape. Biographers and close associates recall a mix of ambition, risk-taking, and moments of vulnerability as he navigated family dynamics and his public image. In the eyes of some, his drive for achievement stood side by side with a longing for companionship and admiration from others.