At the ripe old age of 92 and just one year after divorcing, the wealthy businessman has found love again.
Jerry Hall, a 66-year-old model who had been Murdoch’s wife for six years, and he parted ways in July of last year, citing “irreconcilable differences” in their marriage.
The head of News Corp. previously wed Wendi Murdoch, Anna Murdoch Mann, and Patricia Booker.
The fact that he is now prepared to exchange his vows once more with Ann Lesley Smith, 66, suggests that the fifth time really is the charm.
On St. Patrick’s Day in New York City, the patriarch of the Murdoch family proposed to Smith, a former San Francisco police chaplain, with an Asscher-cut diamond solitaire ring. (17 March).
He explained why he picked that day to one of his own publications, The New York Post, by saying: “I’m one-fourth Irish.”
It turns out that even he suffers with love despite being one of the most powerful and influential individuals in the world and owning a sizable portion of the western world’s media.
“I felt quite anxious. Though I knew this would be my last, I dreaded finding love, he added. It ought to be. I’m content.
Given that Smith and her late husband, country musician Chester Smith, were both involved in the wine industry, the couple initially met at Murdoch’s vineyard Moraga in Bel Air, California.
“I met her last year when there were 200 people at my vineyard, and we spoke for a while,” he recalled. “I called her two weeks later.”
His future wife also discussed their union with the media, saying: “For us both, it’s a gift from God. We first spoke in September.
I have been a 14-year widow. My husband was a businessman, just like Rupert. Worked for neighborhood newspapers, helped launch radio and TV stations, and promoted Univision. I can converse in Rupert’s language.
“We hold similar values.
In context, this is not my first experience. Being in the bottom half means being close to 70. I awaited the appropriate moment. My friends are delighted for me.
“We’re both looking forward to spending the second half of our lives together,” Murdoch continued.
He may dominate the media, but a 92-year-old shouldn’t be making such an optimistic claim about the likelihood of surviving to 184.
In any case, they are anxious to wed, and their wedding is set for this summer.
