‘Petty grievances’ and an alleged troublemaker: unsealed Murdoch court documents give rare glimpse into bitter succession battle
Rupert Murdoch said in newly released correspondence that it would be a disaster if his media empire fell into the ‘wrong hands’ A year ago, Rupert Murdoch resolved the long-running fight over which of his children would control his sprawling media empire, ending a bitter legal battle and anointing his eldest son, Lachlan, as his successor. Now, court documents have offered a rare glimpse into…
Newly released court documents have shed light on the bitter succession battle within Rupert Murdoch's media empire, revealing tensions among the 95-year-old media mogul's four eldest children. In 2024, a Nevada judicial officer's decision exposed the "petty grievances" and alleged troublemaking behavior of Murdoch's children, particularly James Murdoch, who was portrayed as a troublemaker by his father.
The documents detail the patriarch's view of his children, including statements about the need to oust James from the business and the importance of preserving Fox and News Corp as conservative voices in the media. Murdoch expressed concern that the assets could fall into the "wrong hands" and emphasized the importance of these companies for democracies.
Conflicting accounts emerged regarding James's motivations for his actions, with one memo suggesting he intended to oust Lachlan and alter the companies' direction after his father's death. The court documents also revealed the strain on family relationships, including James's stormy departure from the News board in 2020 and his refusal to sell his stake in the business.
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