In a significant move for the future of his media empire, Rupert Murdoch, aged 94, has officially named his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, as the leader of the family business for decades to come. This conservative media empire encompasses influential outlets including Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post, along with prominent media entities in both the U.K. and Australia. The elder Murdoch has orchestrated billions in transactions to resolve a long-standing succession battle among his children, ultimately solidifying Lachlan's role at the helm of Fox Corp. and News Corp..
At 54 years old, Lachlan emerged victorious in a prolonged rivalry with his brother James Murdoch, aged 52, over control of the family's vast holdings. This succession announcement further amplifies the spotlight on Lachlan, who is increasingly viewed as the likely heir to uphold the conservative identity that has characterized his father's media portfolio. Observers have pointed out that Lachlan and Rupert Murdoch possess distinct approaches to media ownership. Paddy Manning, who authored a biography of Lachlan, stated that Lachlan is less inclined to play the kingmaker role in Republican politics that his father famously occupied, suggesting he adopts a more hands-off approach.
The division of Rupert Murdoch's considerable fortune and business interests among his children—including Lachlan, James, and their older siblings, Prudence and Elisabeth—has been a subject of intense scrutiny. This family drama has inspired dramatizations such as the HBO series Succession, reflecting the high stakes and emotional tensions involved. The Murdoch family's legacy is not just defined by their media holdings but also by the intricate relationships and rivalries among its members.
Lachlan Keith Murdoch was born on September 8, 1971, in London, England, coinciding with the announcement of his succession. The Murdoch family relocated to New York City shortly after his birth, where Rupert began acquiring U.S. newspapers and magazines. Lachlan received an elite education, attending prestigious private schools in Manhattan, Massachusetts, and Colorado, before graduating from Princeton University.
He joined News Corp. in 1994, climbing to the position of deputy chief operating officer. However, in 2005, Lachlan left the U.S. to reside in his father's native Australia, a decision perceived as voluntary exile due to frustrations over corporate maneuvers against him by top executives. Rupert Murdoch encouraged Lachlan to learn to navigate these challenges independently.
In 1999, Lachlan married Sarah O'Hare, a successful Australian model who later transitioned into television as a host and producer. The couple shares three children and, as of 2021, maintained their primary residence in Sydney, where their children were enrolled in school. Lachlan has expressed feeling more Australian than American, a sentiment that resonates with his father’s roots in Adelaide, Australia.
Approximately a decade after moving to Australia, Lachlan re-entered the U.S. media landscape at a pivotal time. His brother James faced significant fallout from the phone-hacking scandal involving their British tabloids, which led to hefty legal settlements exceeding $1.5 billion. The family subsequently divided their enterprises into separate publishing and television entities, positioning both sons in key roles—James as CEO of Fox and Lachlan as co-chairman.
Both brothers have encountered their share of controversies throughout their careers. James was at the forefront of the U.K. tabloid crisis, while Lachlan, as CEO of Fox Corp., has faced multiple defamation lawsuits related to Fox News' coverage of the 2020 election. Notably, Fox settled a lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems in 2023 for $787.5 million, although another lawsuit by Smartmatic awaits trial. Evidence suggested Lachlan was cautious about alienating Fox's core audience—primarily pro-Trump voters—by directly addressing the election's outcome.
Despite these challenges, both News Corp. and Fox have experienced financial growth under Lachlan's leadership. Fox reported revenues of $16.3 billion for the last fiscal year, marking a 17% increase, while News Corp. saw a slight uptick in revenue to $8.45 billion.
There has been ongoing speculation regarding Lachlan's political ideology; however, he is generally perceived as more conservative than his father. He identifies his politics as socially liberal yet economically conservative. In 2021, he stated that Fox News operates in the center-right spectrum of political news, opinion, and analysis, aligning with the audience’s preferences he perceives in America.
Lachlan Murdoch's ascension as the leader of the Murdoch media empire marks a pivotal moment in the landscape of conservative media, with implications for both the industry and political discourse in the years to come.
