Rupert Murdoch Caught in Fierce Court Battle with Children to Decide Who Will Control Media Empire When He Dies

Rupert, 93, is aiming to cut three of his children out of the family trust, which would allow his most conservative son to call the shots without interference

Rupert Murdoch is in the middle of a fierce court battle — with his children.

The media magnate, who owns News Corp and Fox News, is sorting who will have control over his media empire and the family's $19.6 billion trust when he dies.

On Monday, Sept. 16, Rupert, 93, and four of his children — Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan and James  — attended a hearing before a Reno, Nev., probate commissioner to discuss who will take over the family business. The hearing, which the Associated Press says involves more than 40 lawyers, could potentially extend into next week.

According to the BBC, Rupert seeks to change the Murdoch Family Trust that dates back to 1999 and handled succession arrangements. The trust detailed that the family gets eight votes on the board of News Corp and Fox News — four of which belong to Rupert, and the other four to his eldest children. When Rupert dies, the four siblings would have an equal number of votes.

But Rupert wants to alter the trust so that Lachlan, 53, would get total control and voting power without his siblings' interference.

Related: The Murdoch Family: All About the Real-Life People Who Inspired 'Succession'

As per the BBC, journalist Andrew Neil said in the 2020 documentary The Rise of Rupert Murdoch that Rupert had been grooming his sons since they were teens to take over the family business.

In turn, according to The New York Times, the magnate also pitted his siblings against one another, damaging his relationship with James.

Related: Rupert Murdoch Has Lost Faith in Ron DeSantis, Report Alleges, as Fox News Gets Tougher on Florida Governor

Rupert, who began building his massive media empire in the 1960s, stepped down as both Fox News and News Corps chairman in September 2023, leaving Lachlan (who is politically right-leaning like his father) in charge as of last November.

The media magnate also put to rest any speculation that he and the company weren't doing well.

"Our companies are in robust health, as am I. Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges. We have every reason to be optimistic about our coming years. I certainly am and plan to be here to participate in them," Rupert wrote in a letter read by America's Newsroom co-host Bill Hemmer.

At the time, Lachlan released a statement that congratulated his father on a long career. "We thank him for his vision and his pioneering spirit, his steadfast determination and the enduring legacy he leaves at the companies he founded and countless people he has impacted," Lachlan said.

According to The New York Times, Lachlan's political outlook will maintain News Corp and Fox News' conservative values throughout news stations and newspapers, should he remain the executive chairman of the companies.

This decision has reportedly inspired James, 51; Elisabeth, 66; and Prudence, 56 — all of whom NYT categorizes as more centrist — to fight back together.

Related: Lachlan Murdoch Is 'More Conservative' than Dad Rupert, Says Source: 'Could Go All Out for Trump' (Exclusive)

In addition to Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan and James, Rupert is also father to Grace, 22, and Chloe, 21, who have no voting rights under the Murdoch Family Trust.

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Rupert has been married five times. He and his first wife Patricia Booker share Prudence. He and Anna Mann, his second wife from 1967 to 1999, share Elisabeth, Lachlan and James.

Wendi Deng, his third wife from 1999 to 2013, is mother to Grace and Chloe.

Rupert was married to Jerry Hall from 2016 to 2022, and tied the knot a fifth time in June to Elena Zhukova.

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