Rupert Murdoch, 93, marries for fifth time in private California ceremony to Russian bride Elena Zhukova

Rupert Murdoch has got married for the fifth time (PA)
Rupert Murdoch has got married for the fifth time (PA)

Rupert Murdoch has married for the fifth time, wedding retired molecular biologist Elena Zhukova in a private ceremony at his California vineyard.

The 93-year-old media mogul tied the knot with the 67-year-old Russian-born Ms Zhukova on Saturday after several months of dating.

Murdoch’s latest marriage comes just 14 months after ending his engagement with Ann Lesley Smith.

The billionaire former Fox chief, who retired last year, met Ms Zhukova at a garden party hosted by his third wife, Wendi Deng, last year.

Elena Zhukova (centre),with her daughters Katya Zhukova (left) and Darya Zhukova (right) (Billy Farrell Agency/Shutterstock)
Elena Zhukova (centre),with her daughters Katya Zhukova (left) and Darya Zhukova (right) (Billy Farrell Agency/Shutterstock)

The Sun, which is owned by the Murdoch family, published photos of the nonagenarian in a dark suit and yellow tie alongside the bride, who wore a white dress.

No statement has been offered to the media.

Ms Zhukova, who is in some quarters referred to as ‘Yelena’ and not ‘Elena’, was previously married to Russian-born British businessman Alexander Zhukov.

One of their three children is Russian socialite Dasha Zhukova, who was married to Russian oligarch and former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich from 2008 to 2018.

Murdoch with his previous wife Jerry Hall (PA)
Murdoch with his previous wife Jerry Hall (PA)

Ms Zhukova has lived in America for more than three decades after leaving Russia in 1991.

Murdoch has six children from his marriages. He was married to Patricia Booker from 1956 to 1967, to Anna Maria Torv from 1967 to 1999 and to Wendi Deng from 1999 to 2013.

Roman Abramovich and Dasha Zhukova (PA)
Roman Abramovich and Dasha Zhukova (PA)

Most recently he was married to Jerry Hall from 2016 to 2022 and is said to have ended the relationship over email.

He was engaged to Ann Lesley Smith for only a few weeks in 2023.