How Did Rupert Murdoch Make His Money?

Rupert Murdoch’s Profile Summary

Company	News Corporation (News Corp)
Position	Former Chairman and CEO
Source of wealth	Media and Entertainment
Also known as	Media Mogul
Age	94
Education	Worcester College, Oxford
Citizenship	United States (naturalized in 1985)
Residence	United States
Family	Six children
Website, Social Media	News Corp: newscorp.com Fox Corporation: foxcorporation.com .

Rupert Murdoch’s biography

Rupert Murdoch, born on March 11, 1931, in Melbourne, Australia, is a media mogul whose influence spans continents. He inherited his first media assets, two Adelaide newspapers, in 1954 following his father's death. Murdoch revitalized these publications by focusing on sensationalist journalism, emphasizing crime and scandal to boost circulation, a strategy that became his hallmark.

In 1964, he launched The Australian, the country’s first national newspaper, expanding his media footprint. In the 1970s, Murdoch entered the British media market, acquiring The Sun and News of the World, which became widely popular due to their sensationalist content. By the mid-1970s, he had ventured into the U.S., purchasing the New York Post and creating Fox Broadcasting Company in 1986. Fox quickly became a challenger to the established networks, particularly with the launch of Fox News in 1996, which gained a loyal audience with its conservative viewpoints.

In 2013, Murdoch split his company into two entities: 21st Century Fox and News Corp. In 2019, he sold most of 21st Century Fox’s assets to Disney for $71.3 billion. In 2023, Murdoch stepped down as chairman of both companies, transitioning to chairman emeritus. His empire spans newspapers, television, and publishing, making him one of the most influential figures in media.

How did Rupert Murdoch make money?
Rupert Murdoch’s rise to wealth began in 1954 when he inherited two newspapers from his father in Adelaide, Australia. He quickly transformed them by adopting sensationalist journalism to attract more readers. This approach boosted circulation and profits, allowing him to expand his media holdings across Australia. In 1964, Murdoch launched The Australian, the country’s first national newspaper, which further cemented his media influence.

In the 1970s, Murdoch expanded internationally by acquiring British tabloids such as The Sun and News of the World. These papers became highly profitable under his leadership, thanks to their focus on scandal, celebrity news, and populist content. His success in the UK set the stage for his entry into the American media market.

Murdoch made his first major U.S. acquisition in 1973 with the San Antonio Express-News, followed by the New York Post in 1976. In 1986, he launched Fox Broadcasting Company, which became the fourth major U.S. television network. Murdoch's bold programming decisions, including shows aimed at younger audiences, helped Fox gain a competitive edge. In 1996, he launched Fox News, a conservative-leaning news network that quickly became a dominant force in cable news.

Murdoch continued to diversify his portfolio by acquiring HarperCollins, The Wall Street Journal, and other media assets. In 2019, he sold the majority of 21st Century Fox to Disney for $71.3 billion, significantly boosting his wealth. His media empire spans newspapers, television, publishing, and film, making him one of the most influential figures in global media.
What is Rupert Murdoch net worth?

As of 2025, Rupert Murdoch’s net worth is estimated to be $23.3 B.

What is Rupert Murdoch also known as?

Rupert Murdoch is often referred to as a global media mogul due to his influence across the newspaper, television, and publishing industries in Australia, the UK, and the U.S.

Prominent achievements of Rupert Murdoch

Murdoch transformed a small newspaper inheritance into a global media empire. He launched Fox News, acquired prestigious outlets like The Wall Street Journal, and played a crucial role in shaping modern media and entertainment industries.

What are Rupert Murdoch’s key insights?

Murdoch emphasizes aggressive expansion and market disruption. He believes in giving editorial freedom to his publications and capitalizing on new media trends. His strategy involves catering to popular tastes while influencing political discourse through his media outlets.

Rupert Murdoch’s personal life

Rupert Murdoch has six children from multiple marriages: Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, James, Grace, and Chloe. Lachlan Murdoch currently holds key leadership roles within the family’s media companies.