As the world awaits the minting of Australian-born Rupert Murdoch’s fifth wife in the shape of Russian-born retired molecular biologist Elena Zhukova, 67, she joins an elite group of women who have become one of the more fascinating aspects of the powerful businessman’s much-storied life.
It’s looking likely Zhukova will be a “spring bride”, with the Californian-based couple’s friends expecting them to marry early as the northern hemisphere enters its warmer months.
Rupert Murdoch is joined by Elena Zhukova in Los Angeles.Credit: Media Mode
As for why Murdoch would walk down the aisle one more time, one of his oldest friends, who asked to remain anonymous so he could speak freely, put it on Friday afternoon: “He doesn’t like to be alone, especially since he stepped back from the business.”
At least part of the Murdoch family have already met Zhukova, who was among guests at a family reunion aboard a flotilla of superyachts in the Mediterranean last year. Zhukova took up residence on board the suitably historic Christina O, which Murdoch rented for about $800,000 a week.
No doubt the previous Mrs Murdochs would also be curious about the woman expected – but not guaranteed – to be the last Mrs Murdoch.
Elena Zhukova and Rupert Murdoch started dating last year.Credit: Instagram
The billionaire media magnate from Australia, who is now a US citizen, will mark his 93rd birthday on Monday but has been plagued with health issues in recent years; at least one of which was witnessed by his most recent wife, veteran supermodel Jerry Hall, aboard his son Lachlan’s superyacht when her then husband slipped in 2018 and was left “moaning in agony” on the floor.
According to media reports, Zhukova was introduced to Murdoch by his third ex-wife, Wendi Deng, who is friends with Zhukova’s daughter, Dasha. Dasha is a glamorous international socialite and art collector who was married to Russian billionaire oligarch Roman Abramovich until 2017.
The world of power and money is not new to Elena Zhukova, but she is described as being fiercely independent, maintaining her Jewish faith when she was previously married to another Russian billionaire, London-based Alexander Zhukov.
‘He doesn’t like to be alone’: Why Rupert Murdoch is traipsing down the aisle a fifth time
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08.03.2024
As the world awaits the minting of Australian-born Rupert Murdoch’s fifth wife in the shape of Russian-born retired molecular biologist Elena Zhukova, 67, she joins an elite group of women who have become one of the more fascinating aspects of the powerful businessman’s much-storied life.
It’s looking likely Zhukova will be a “spring bride”, with the Californian-based couple’s friends expecting them to marry early as the northern hemisphere enters its warmer months.
Rupert Murdoch is joined by Elena Zhukova in Los Angeles.Credit: Media........
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