Lachlan Murdoch to Take Full Control of Media Empire in Landmark Family Deal.

Rupert Murdoch’s long-running family succession drama has finally come to an end — and it’s Lachlan Murdoch who emerges as the clear victor. In a deal announced on Monday by News Corp, Rupert Murdoch’s eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, will take full control of the media empire built by his 94-year-old father. The agreement marks the end of years of internal family conflict over who would lead a media portfolio that includes Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, and The Times of London. Lachlan Secures Sole Voting Power Under the terms of the deal, Lachlan, 54, will hold exclusive voting control over a newly established family trust, which holds a majority stake in both Fox Corporation and News Corp. This trust will remain in place until 2050, ensuring long-term control of the companies. Lachlan has already been serving as Chairman of News Corp and CEO of Fox Corporation since Rupert Murdoch stepped down from day-to-day operations in 2023. The new agreement cements his authority and clears the path for continuity in leadership — and editorial direction. Industry analysts say the deal guarantees that Murdoch-owned outlets will continue to reflect the conservative editorial stance that Rupert Murdoch championed throughout his career. What Happens to the Other Siblings? The agreement also includes a payout for Murdoch’s three older children from previous marriages — James, Elizabeth, and Prudence Murdoch — who will relinquish their stakes in the existing trust. The trio will receive a reported $3.3 billion split equally among them. In return, they have agreed to a “long-term standstill agreement” that bars them from buying shares in either News Corp or Fox Corp or engaging in activities that could influence the companies. Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch’s youngest daughters, Grace and Chloe, from his third marriage to Wendi Deng, will remain as beneficiaries of the new family trust alongside Lachlan — but without any voting power. Succession Battle Ends — But Not Without Drama The Murdoch family feud became public in 2023 when Rupert attempted to restructure the trust to give Lachlan sole control. James, Elizabeth, and Prudence challenged the move in court, arguing it was an unfair power grab. In December, a Nevada probate court sided with the three siblings, calling the attempted change a “carefully crafted charade” meant to “permanently cement” Lachlan’s control. However, Monday’s deal effectively settles the dispute — this time through negotiation, not litigation. Reactions: Stability or Stagnation? Reactions to the deal have been mixed. Lynne Vincent, a management professor at Syracuse University, said the outcome was predictable. “Rupert Murdoch is very effective at getting what he wants,” Vincent told Al Jazeera. “He wanted Lachlan in charge — and that’s exactly what’s happening.” Vincent noted that Lachlan’s views are closely aligned with his father’s, meaning the editorial direction of Murdoch media properties is unlikely to change. “This provides Fox Corp and News Corp with a sense of stability, which might be appealing to some stakeholders.” However, not everyone sees the news as positive. Andrew Dodd, director at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Advancing Journalism, warned the deal is “bad news for media diversity.” “This ensures the respective news outlets remain right-wing and reactionary,” Dodd said. “It’s likely they will continue to follow the same ideological agenda Rupert Murdoch pursued for decades.” A New Era Begins — But It Looks Familiar While the settlement marks the formal end of a high-stakes succession battle, it also signals the continuation of the Murdoch legacy — driven now by Lachlan, with his father’s full backing. As critics and supporters weigh in, one thing is clear: Rupert Murdoch’s influence on global media isn’t going anywhere — it’s just changing hands.

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