Rupert Murdoch has finally ended one of the most dramatic family power struggles in modern media history—handing full control of his empire to son Lachlan in a $3.3 billion settlement that reshapes the dynasty forever.
Rupert Murdoch, aged 94, has finally resolved a years-long family feud over the future of his media empire. In a deal announced on 8 September 2025, his eldest son Lachlan Murdoch will assume control of a new family trust that holds voting power in Fox Corporation and News Corp, while siblings Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch and James Murdoch step aside entirely.
This resolution preserves the Murdoch media empire’s conservative editorial trajectory—and brings to a close one of the most dramatic and closely watched succession battles in modern media history.
The Agreement and Its Stakes
Under the settlement, Reuters reports that Lachlan will lead a newly established trust that consolidates control of the family’s media holdings. Rupert Murdoch’s other three older children will relinquish any claim to trusts holding Fox or News Corp stock. Instead, Prudence, Elisabeth and James will receive cash from the sale of roughly 14.2 million shares of News Corp and 16.9 million shares of Fox Corp, estimated at about US$1.1 billion each.
As part of the agreement, these siblings are barred from future participation or influence in the companies’ governance or voting rights.
The deal also brings Rupert’s younger daughters from his marriage to Wendi Deng—Grace and Chloe—into the new trust alongside Lachlan, but without diluting his exclusive voting control according to Axios.
News Corp and Fox Corp released statements welcoming the improved certainty in governance. A News Corp board communique emphasized that Lachlan’s “leadership, vision and management … will continue to be important to guiding the company’s strategy and success.”
Rupert Murdoch in discussion with President Trump during a public appearance.
From Courtroom Clash to Private Settlement
The deal follows a contentious Nevada court battle sparked by Rupert and Lachlan’s attempt to amend terms of an existing irrevocable family trust that had split voting control among the four eldest children. The Washington Post reports that in December 2024, a Nevada probate commissioner ruled that their amendment effort constituted “bad faith” and was essentially a “carefully crafted charade” designed to cement Lachlan’s uncontested control.
That ruling set the stage for protracted negotiations. According to insiders, the deal announced in September is the result of a “mutual resolution” of the legal proceedings—avoiding further costly litigation and preserving the public image of the company.
Why Lachlan?
According to The Guardian, observers say Rupert Murdoch’s decision to back Lachlan as his heir was motivated by a desire to preserve the political direction of his media empire. Lachlan is widely regarded as ideologically aligned with his father’s conservative vision, whereas his older siblings have publicly distanced themselves from that stance.
James Murdoch, in particular, has voiced criticism of Fox News’s election-coverage and News Corp’s climate reporting, and Elisabeth and Prudence are seen as more moderate actors. The buy-out removes the risk that internal dissent could shift the editorial direction of Fox, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post or other key Murdoch platforms.
Analysts describe the outcome as Rupert Murdoch achieving a costly but effective guarantee: when he eventually dies, Lachlan will be in full command of the company, free from internal opposition.
Global Implications: Media, Politics and Corporate Strategy
The family settlement isn’t just about internal harmony—it has wider ramifications:
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Editorial continuity: Fox News and News Corp are central players in shaping conservative public opinion, not just in the U.S. but across Australia and the U.K. This deal ensures that direction will continue unimpeded by internal family dissent.
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Business clarity: By resolving the dispute, Murdoch’s companies eliminate a major governance risk. Investors and partners now have a clearer line of authority and a more stable roadmap out to 2050.
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Australian holdings: Lachlan’s control reassures continuity over Australian assets like The Australian newspaper, the REA Group real estate arm, and Sky News Australia—the latter especially significant in Australia’s polarized media climate.
Rupert Murdoch pictured on his wedding day with his fifth wife.
What Comes Next?
With the litigation over, the next phase will likely involve Lachlan consolidating his role as chair and CEO, setting strategy without fear of family pushback. The older siblings are expected to divest their holdings over the coming months and focus on their independent ventures.
Some analysts suggest the payout is steep but strategically beneficial: Rupert Murdoch may have sacrificed billions, but his legacy—and the ideological future of his media empire—has been locked in.
Still, the settlement may leave lingering personal wounds. The Murdoch family has long presented itself as a tight-knit dynasty; this deal trades that image for unchallenged control.
FAQs: What Readers May Be Asking
How much did the settlement cost Lachlan Murdoch (or the Murdoch trust)?
Reports estimate the deal is worth about US$3.3 billion in total, with each of Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch and James Murdoch receiving roughly US$1.1 billion for their shares.
Why was there a legal battle at all?
Rupert and Lachlan tried to amend a 1999-era irrevocable family trust that had originally divided voting control equally among Rupert's four oldest children. The court in Nevada ruled in December 2024 that their attempt constituted bad faith and was effectively a “carefully crafted charade.”
What happens to the Murdoch younger daughters—Grace and Chloe—in the new structure?
Grace and Chloe, Rupert’s daughters from his marriage to Wendi Deng, are included as beneficiaries in the new family trust alongside Lachlan. However, voting control of Fox Corp and News Corp rests exclusively with Lachlan.
Does this mean the Murdoch companies will always lean conservative?
While nothing can guarantee the ideological direction forever, this deal makes it highly likely. Lachlan is broadly aligned with Rupert’s conservative vision, and the settlement removes internal family influence from more moderate or liberal siblings who might have sought to shift editorial line.
The Murdoch family tree, courtesy of BBC News.
Conclusion
After years of legal wrangling, family tension and public speculation, the Murdoch succession battle is over—and Lachlan Murdoch emerges from it as undisputed heir. Rupert Murdoch may have paid a heavy price to buy out his children’s dissent, but he appears to have secured what he most cherished: a media empire that continues in his ideological image, guided by a loyal hand and free from internecine conflict. The legacy of the Murdoch dynasty is now Lachlan's to shape.
