Rupert Murdoch

Rupert Murdoch, born on March 11, 1931, is a prominent figure in the media landscape, recognized as an Australian and American former business magnate, investor, and media mogul. He is best known for founding News Corp, which oversees a vast array of publishing outlets globally, including notable newspapers such as The Sun and The Times in the United Kingdom, The Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun in Australia, and The Wall Street Journal and New York Post in the United States. His media empire also includes HarperCollins and television channels like Sky News Australia and Fox News.

Murdoch's journey in the media industry began after the death of his father, Keith Murdoch, in 1952, when he took charge of The News, a small newspaper in Adelaide. His expansion into the media world accelerated in the 1960s with acquisitions in Australia and New Zealand, followed by a significant move into the UK market in 1969 with the purchase of the News of the World and The Sun. In 1974, he relocated to New York City to tap into the American market while maintaining his interests in Australia and the UK.

Throughout the years, Murdoch's business acumen led to the acquisition of major entities, including Twentieth Century Fox and HarperCollins, and the formation of BSkyB in 1990. By the year 2000, his company owned over eight hundred businesses across more than fifty countries, boasting a net worth exceeding five billion dollars. However, his career has not been without controversy, facing allegations of phone hacking and corruption that led to significant investigations in both the UK and the US.

In recent years, Murdoch has made headlines for his decision to step down from leadership roles at Fox Corp and News Corp, signaling a shift in his long-standing influence over the media. His family dynamics have also been in the spotlight, particularly regarding a court case involving his children and the future control of his media empire. In September 2025, a settlement was reached, ensuring that his eldest son, Lachlan, would retain control of the family business.