The Fifth Chapter: 5 Shocking Facts About Rupert Murdoch's Marriage To Elena Zhukova

The media world was once again captivated on Saturday, June 1, 2024, when 93-year-old media mogul Rupert Murdoch tied the knot for the fifth time, marrying 67-year-old retired molecular biologist Elena Zhukova. The wedding, a private and intimate affair held at his stunning Moraga vineyard estate in Bel Air, California, marked a significant new chapter for the billionaire just eight months after he stepped down as chairman of Fox and News Corp. This union between a titan of global media and a respected scientist who immigrated from Russia to the United States in 1991 has sparked international curiosity. The story of how the couple met, the details of the exclusive ceremony, and Elena Zhukova’s impressive professional background are the freshest and most talked-about details surrounding one of the year’s most high-profile marriages.

Elena Zhukova and Rupert Murdoch: A Dual Biography

The marriage between Rupert Murdoch and Elena Zhukova brings together two highly influential, albeit very different, figures from the worlds of media and science. Understanding their individual backgrounds provides essential context for their surprising union.

Elena Zhukova’s Profile

• Full Name: Elena Zhukova (now Elena Zhukova Murdoch)
• Age: 67 years old (as of the June 2024 wedding)
• Nationality: American
• Home Country: Russia (immigrated to the US in 1991)
• Profession: Retired Molecular Biologist and Diabetes Specialist
• Career Highlights: Spent her career performing medical research at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) medical research division.
• Previous Marriage: Former wife of Alexander Zhukov, a Russian-born billionaire energy investor.
• Children: Mother to Dasha Zhukova Niarchos, a prominent art collector, businesswoman, and socialite.

Rupert Murdoch’s Profile

• Full Name: Keith Rupert Murdoch
• Age: 93 years old (as of the June 2024 wedding)
• Nationality: Australian-born, American citizen
• Profession: Media Mogul, Chairman Emeritus of Fox Corporation and News Corp
• Career Highlights: Built a global media empire including *The Wall Street Journal*, *The Sun*, Fox News, and HarperCollins.
• Previous Marriages: Married four times prior to Elena Zhukova: Patricia Booker (1956–1967), Anna Maria Torv (1967–1999), Wendi Deng (1999–2013), and Jerry Hall (2016–2022).
• Children: Has six children from his first three marriages.

The Moraga Vineyard Wedding: Details of Murdoch’s Fifth Marriage

The wedding ceremony on June 1, 2024, was a highly anticipated event, confirming the engagement that had been announced just a few months earlier. The private nature of the event, held at the mogul’s own wine estate, underscored the couple’s desire for a low-key celebration despite the massive public interest. The venue, Moraga, is a picturesque vineyard and estate in the luxurious Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, which Murdoch purchased in 2013. The setting provided a beautiful, exclusive backdrop for the union. The event was attended by a select group of close family and friends, as well as high-profile figures from Murdoch's business empire. Notable guests included Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, and Robert Thompson, the chief executive of News Corp. The marriage is Murdoch's fifth. His previous engagement to Ann Lesley Smith, a former police chaplain, was called off in April 2023, making his swift engagement and marriage to Elena Zhukova a topic of widespread commentary on the media tycoon’s enduring romantic life.

The Surprising Connection That Brought Them Together

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Murdoch-Zhukova relationship is the surprising family connection that served as their introduction. Elena Zhukova was reportedly introduced to Rupert Murdoch by his third wife, Wendi Deng. Wendi Deng and Elena’s daughter, Dasha Zhukova Niarchos, are known to be close friends. Dasha is a prominent figure in the international art and social scene, and it was through this established social network that the paths of the media mogul and the retired scientist crossed. The introduction facilitated by a former spouse highlights the unique dynamics within the extended Murdoch family and social circle.

Elena Zhukova: From Molecular Biology to Media Royalty

Elena Zhukova’s background as a molecular biologist sets her apart from Murdoch’s previous wives, who included a flight attendant, a journalist, a businesswoman, and a model. Her career was dedicated to serious medical research, specifically as a diabetes specialist at UCLA. She emigrated from Russia to the United States in 1991, establishing a successful professional life in America for over three decades before her retirement. This professional focus on science and research offers a stark contrast to the high-stakes, public-facing world of global media that Rupert Murdoch has dominated for decades. Her life as a retired scientist now intertwined with one of the world's most powerful media families adds an intriguing layer to the narrative of the Murdoch dynasty. The marriage signifies a new, quieter chapter for Murdoch, who, at 93, has recently transitioned to a Chairman Emeritus role at his companies. The union with a retired scientist suggests a focus on a more private, intellectually-grounded life, away from the daily operational pressures of his vast media empire. The couple’s relationship and the details of their June 2024 wedding remain a testament to the fact that, for Rupert Murdoch, the pursuit of partnership and love is a perpetual story.