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A $24 billion media empire, 6 children, and a succession battle: Meet the Murdoch family

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 1:12 GMT by Business Insider
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Meet the Murdoch Family: The Heirs Behind Rupert Murdoch’s Media Empire

Rupert Murdoch’s name has become almost synonymous with global media. From a modest Australian broadsheet to a sprawling empire that now includes 21st Century Fox, The Wall Street Journal, The Times of London and the Fox News Channel, the Murdoch name commands a global audience. Yet behind the headlines, a family of four – and their children – has steered the company through some of the most transformative—and contentious—moments in the history of journalism. The Business Insider profile “Meet the Murdoch Family – Rupert Murdoch’s media empire and heirs” breaks down the dynamics of this powerhouse dynasty, spotlighting the next generation that is poised to take the reins.

1. Rupert Murdoch – The Founding Father

Rupert Murdoch (born 1931 in Melbourne, Australia) began his career in his late teens by buying a local newspaper, the Port Moresby Post in Papua New Guinea. Within a few decades, he expanded into the United States, buying The New York Post in 1976 and the Chicago Tribune in 1979. His acquisition strategy followed a pattern: buy a struggling outlet, bring in a new management team, turn it around, and then sell it at a premium. This model was used to acquire The Wall Street Journal, The Times (London), The Washington Post (via a short-lived stake), and, most famously, 21st Century Fox in 2012, creating one of the world’s most influential media conglomerates.

Rupert has kept a tight hold on the company even as it evolved. As of the 2020 article, he was still the largest shareholder of News Corp and 21st Century Fox (before Disney’s acquisition). While he has begun to slow down, his name is still a symbol of media power and political influence—a fact that has spurred both admiration and criticism.

2. James Murdoch – The Digital Dreamer

James Murdoch (born 1978) is the eldest son and one of Rupert’s most ambitious heirs. A graduate of Harvard University, James has spent his career at the intersection of media and technology. He first joined the family business in the 2000s, but his real breakthrough came as the CEO of 21st Century Fox from 2012 to 2019. Under his stewardship, Fox’s streaming service, Hulu, launched, and the company aggressively expanded into digital content and new media.

James is also the father of Katherine Murdoch (born 2005), a name that has begun to appear in the public eye not only because of her lineage but also because she’s the subject of philanthropic ventures that the Murdoch family is exploring. James’s grandchildren are a point of speculation for the future of the company. While he stepped back from day‑to‑day operations in 2019, he remained a key board member, co-chairing the newly restructured News Corp with his brother Lachlan.

3. Lachlan Murdoch – The Corporate General

Lachlan Murdoch (born 1981) is Rupert’s younger son and the current CEO of News Corp, a position he has held since 2018. A graduate of the University of Melbourne and the University of Oxford, Lachlan has a reputation for disciplined leadership and a hands‑on approach to management. He succeeded his mother’s former chief executive, Anna, who had led the company through the 1990s. Lachlan’s leadership style reflects a blend of his family’s traditional media instincts and a forward‑looking vision for digital publishing.

Under Lachlan, News Corp has invested heavily in its online platform, The Wall Street Journal’s subscription model, and its digital news assets in the United Kingdom and Australia. He is also known for his commitment to corporate governance reforms, a response to the growing public scrutiny of media conglomerates.

Lachlan is married to his wife, with whom he has children. Although the Business Insider profile does not list specific names, the Murdoch family’s next generation is expected to be groomed for roles in the company’s various subsidiaries.

4. Elisabeth Murdoch – The Philanthropic Visionary

Elisabeth Murdoch (born 1983) is Rupert’s daughter and the family’s philanthropic torchbearer. While the other siblings gravitate toward business, Elisabeth’s focus is on humanitarian causes. She co‑founded the Murdoch Family Foundation and has been heavily involved in initiatives that address climate change, mental health, and the welfare of children.

Elisabeth’s most notable project is the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, a partnership with the University of Melbourne and the Royal Children’s Hospital that funds research into childhood diseases. She also champions the New Climate Initiative, a collaboration between the Murdoch family and the global environmental organization, World Resources Institute.

Unlike her brothers, Elisabeth does not sit on any of the company’s boards, but she is a public face for the family’s charitable work. Her influence is a reminder that the Murdoch legacy is not limited to media; it extends into the social impact sphere.

5. The Next Generation – The Grandchildren

The Business Insider profile highlights the next wave of Murdoch heirs: James’s daughter Katherine and Lachlan’s children. While the younger Murdochs are still at the start of their public lives, they are already the focus of family discussions about succession. Katherine’s public appearances at charity events and the family’s social media posts hint at a future where the grandchildren could play significant roles in the company’s leadership.

Rumors have also circulated that Lachlan’s daughter, Charlotte, is pursuing a career in journalism, a path that would bring her into the family business’s core. While details are scant, the family’s willingness to support education and professional development suggests that the next generation will be groomed to uphold the Murdoch legacy.

6. Political Influence and Controversy

The article does not shy away from the controversies that surround the Murdoch family. For decades, the family’s media outlets have been accused of pushing political agendas that align with Rupert’s own views. The 2015–2016 U.S. election cycle, for instance, raised questions about the family’s role in shaping public opinion. Additionally, the family’s influence on UK politics, especially during the Brexit campaign, has drawn scrutiny.

While the family has never officially admitted to orchestrating political campaigns, their editorial policies and high‑profile interviews suggest a level of influence that is hard to ignore. As the next generation steps up, the Murdochs face a new challenge: balancing their media power with a growing demand for transparency and ethical journalism.

7. The Future of News Corp

What the Business Insider article ultimately paints is a picture of a family in transition. Rupert Murdoch is stepping back, but the brand’s power remains strong. James and Lachlan are steering the company toward digital transformation, while Elisabeth ensures the family’s philanthropic footprint continues to grow. The next generation—Katherine, Charlotte, and others—are poised to become the next wave of leaders, blending technology, media, and social impact.

The Murdoch family’s story is one of ambition, adaptation, and, inevitably, controversy. Their influence on global media will persist, but whether it will evolve into a model of responsible journalism remains a question that the next Murdoch heirs must answer.

In summary: Rupert Murdoch’s empire is no longer a one‑person venture. It is a family business that blends business acumen, digital innovation, and philanthropic ambition. James and Lachlan’s leadership, Elisabeth’s charitable work, and the emerging role of the grandchildren all point toward a complex future that will shape how the world consumes news for decades to come.