Lachlan Murdoch has cemented his hold over his father’s global media empire after striking a multi-billion-dollar deal with his three siblings. The agreement ends years of bitter family disputes and ensures Rupert Murdoch’s eldest son will retain long-term control of Fox Corporation and News Corp. Under the settlement, Prudence, Elisabeth and James Murdoch will each receive around $1.1bn (£800m) for their stakes, giving them financial independence while removing their influence over the family trust. For Lachlan, the deal secures the succession in the way Rupert always intended, keeping the empire’s political direction firmly intact.
The Deal That Ended a Family Feud
The Murdoch siblings had fought hard to avoid being sidelined. They won a high-profile court battle after challenging a plan, dubbed “Project Family Harmony,” that would have diluted their power in the trust. Court filings exposed the deep fractures within the family, a saga that at times rivalled the fictional drama of Succession. The eventual settlement represents a significant win for Lachlan’s siblings, who extracted far more than earlier offers, while simultaneously giving Rupert and Lachlan the outcome they wanted: unchallenged leadership for the heir apparent.
What It Means for Fox and News Corp
Although Lachlan has effectively run Fox and News Corp for several years, the deal eliminates any lingering uncertainty. It also rules out the possibility — however slim — of a shift in editorial tone at Fox News, which remains a dominant force in American conservative politics. With Lachlan at the helm, analysts say the network’s staunchly pro-Trump stance will remain unchanged. For Rupert, now 94, the agreement is the ultimate act of succession planning, ensuring his empire will be led by the child most aligned with his worldview.
A Fortune Beyond Measure
For the siblings leaving the trust, the payout adds to fortunes already measured in billions. Elisabeth, Prudence and James now hold vast resources of their own, should they choose to invest or pursue ventures outside the family empire. “To call $1.1bn life-changing is an understatement,” one industry insider remarked, though the wealth is unlikely to alter the already comfortable lifestyles of Rupert Murdoch’s children. What it does provide, however, is independence from the political and commercial battles that define Murdochland.
The Challenges Ahead for Lachlan
Lachlan Murdoch’s admiration for his father’s empire is well documented. Like Rupert, he professes a love of newspapers and has spoken of News Corp’s strength as a “scrappy underdog.” But his challenges are formidable. Fox remains both profitable and polarising, tied closely to Donald Trump’s second administration. The network has so far shielded the president from damaging controversies, including renewed scrutiny of his links to Jeffrey Epstein. Yet Fox faces pressure from a new ecosystem of pro-Maga outlets on YouTube and other platforms that compete fiercely for the same audience.
Rupert’s Final Act of Succession
For Rupert Murdoch, the deal brings closure to the decades-long question of who would take charge. In private letters, he long insisted Lachlan was “the best to run the business,” respected inside and outside the company. With the succession settled, Rupert can step back knowing the empire’s conservative direction is secure. For Lachlan, the test begins now: navigating the commercial pressures of a fragmented media landscape while balancing the political influence that comes with controlling one of the most powerful media organisations in the world.
