This week the world learned of Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall’s divorce plans. The couple, who have been together for the past six years, had their private life leaked to the New York Times by two anonymous sources, both of whom are said to have intimate knowledge of the matter.
Naturally, given Murdoch’s media mogul status, many are wondering how the failed nuptials will impact his empire. The 91-year-old’s conglomerate includes the parent companies of the Wall Street Journal, Fox News and British newspapers The Times and Sunday Times.
According to Forbes’ real-time wealth tracker, the Murdoch family are estimated to be worth $17.7 billion with Murdoch personally estimated at $7.62 billion, per Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index. Hall’s net worth is estimated to be $20 million.
With so many dollar signs in the air, the fallout of this marriage a highly-valuable ordeal. So, where did it all go wrong, and how much might Hall be entitled to?
Murdoch and Hall, then 84 and 59 respectively, were first spotted together publicly in October 2015 at the final of the Rugby World Cup in London. While their 25-year age gap raised eyebrows initially, it soon became clear that they could be in it for the long haul, with the pair announcing their engagement soon after in January 2016.
Just three months after the engagement news broke, the couple were officially married, exchanging vows at St Bride’s Church in March 2016. At the time, Murdoch tweeted that he felt like the ‘luckiest AND happiest man in world.’
For the next few years, the couple maintained a relatively low profile, occasionally spotted at a high profile event or luxurious holiday overseas. Their last public sighting was in August 2021, with divorce rumours swirling by June 2022 after Hall was nowhere to be seen at a event thrown by Murdoch at Serpentine Gallery in London.
As mentioned, Murdoch is no stranger to walking down the aisle, having previously been married to Patricia Booker from 1956-1967, Anna Maria Torv from 1967-1999, and Wendi Deng from 1999-2014. His wedding to Deng took place a mere 17 days after his divorce from Torv was finalised.
According to CNBC, Torv was awarded $1.7 billion, including $10 million in cash, as part of their divorce settlement.
Little is known about the prenup between Murdoch and Hall, except for the fact that one exists. Reports are already swirling that Hall could receive £10m (AU$17,784,891) a year and a share in £250m (au$444,593,750) worth of properties as part of a “generous” settlement agreement.
Prominent British media lawyer told inews, that Hall would be looked after “handsomely”, with an agreement that “isn’t designed to make her wealthy but allow her to live an independent life.”
“She will get a generous stipend to live – from £5m- 10m a year for the rest of her life,” he continued, before adding that she will get “a couple of homes” and use of the private jets and a “shared use” claim on properties the couple have acquired since marrying.
At the minute, reps for neither Murdoch nor Hall have officially commented, so it’s all speculative. Hall, who was previously married to The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, with whom she shares four children, reportedly received more than $40 million in her settlement with the singer after they divorced.
It is believed to be unlikely that the divorce will alter the structure of the businesses Murdoch currently has stakes in, with his family’s shares residing in a strictly managed trust. Voting rights in this trust have been split between Murdoch’s four eldest children, with all six of his children listed as beneficiaries. The mogul has arranged the shares in a calculated manner, so he can never be outvoted.
His chosen successor, Lachlan Murdoch, is still likely to take over the business when the time comes, after returning to the family business as co-chairman of News Corp.
