The son of a media titan, Lachlan Murdoch has spent decades in the shadow of his father Rupert—until now, when a landmark family trust agreement handed him sole control of Fox Corporation and News Corp, effectively ending a bitter succession battle. This profile looks at his biography, his politics, his net worth, and the family dynamics that shaped the next chapter of the Murdoch empire.
Full name: Lachlan Keith Murdoch ·
Born: 8 September 1971 (age 54 as of 2025) ·
Title: Executive Chair and CEO of Fox Corporation ·
Spouse: Sarah Murdoch (née O’Hare) ·
Children: 3
Quick snapshot
- Businessman and media heir (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Eldest son of Rupert Murdoch (NPR)
- CEO of Fox Corporation since 2019 (The Daily Aus)
- Leads conservative Fox News (The New York Times)
- Described himself as liberal but economically conservative (Fox Corporation)
- Personal ideology not explicitly declared (The New York Times)
- Married to Sarah Murdoch (since 1999) (Wikipedia)
- Three children (Wikipedia)
- Strained relationship with brother James (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
A concise overview of Lachlan Murdoch’s background.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 September 1971, London, England (NPR) |
| Nationality | British and American (Encyclopaedia Britannica) |
| Education | Princeton University (BA in Philosophy) |
| Known for | Executive Chair and CEO of Fox Corporation (Fox Corporation) |
| Spouse | Sarah O’Hare Murdoch (m. 1999) |
| Children | 3 |
Is Lachlan Murdoch liberal or conservative?
Lachlan Murdoch’s political identity is a subject of public curiosity, partly because of the right-leaning nature of Fox News, the network he oversees. According to NPR (independent news outlet), Lachlan has described himself as “liberal” on social issues but “economically conservative.” In the same interview, he characterized Fox News as operating from “the center and right” in its coverage and opinion programming.
Does Lachlan Murdoch like Donald Trump?
Lachlan Murdoch has publicly supported Donald Trump, both before and after the 2020 election. The two have maintained a relationship that some analysts describe as pragmatic: Fox News benefits from Trump-friendly viewership, while Trump benefits from the network’s platform. However, the precise nature of their personal bond is not fully documented in public sources.
What is Lachlan Murdoch’s religion?
Lachlan Murdoch’s personal religious affiliation has not been publicly disclosed. He was raised in a Christian household, but he has not commented on his current beliefs. This remains one of the few personal details he has kept private.
Lachlan Murdoch runs a network that amplifies conservative voices, yet his own stated ideology is more nuanced. The gap between his personal politics and Fox News’s editorial stance creates a tension that the 2025 trust resolution now forces him to manage alone.
The gap between his personal politics and Fox News’s editorial stance creates a tension that the 2025 trust resolution now forces him to manage alone.
How much is Lachlan Murdoch worth now?
Estimates of Lachlan Murdoch’s net worth vary because his wealth is tied to privately held shares in Fox Corporation and News Corp. The 2025 Financial Review Rich List (Australian business publication) placed his net worth at A$3.21 billion, though that figure is considered a low-confidence estimate by some analysts. Most sources agree that his fortune runs into the billions, but the exact number is not publicly fixed.
Who is richer, Trump or Murdoch?
Rupert Murdoch’s net worth is approximately eight times that of Donald Trump, according to Forbes (business magazine). Lachlan Murdoch’s wealth, while substantial, is significantly smaller than his father’s. Still, he controls assets that Trump does not: the voting power of Fox and News Corp shares, which the 2025 trust agreement solidified for decades.
Six assets, one pattern: the Murdoch family’s fortune is concentrated in media, while Trump’s wealth is spread across real estate, licensing, and social media. The comparison table below shows the difference.
| Person | Estimated Net Worth (2025) | Primary Source of Wealth | Voting Control of Media? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rupert Murdoch | ~$20 billion (Forbes) | News Corp, Fox Corp | Yes (until 2025 trust) |
| Lachlan Murdoch | A$3.21 billion (Financial Review) | Stake in Fox Corp, News Corp | Yes (from 2025) |
| Donald Trump | ~$2.5 billion (Forbes) | Real estate, Truth Social | No |
The implication: Lachlan Murdoch’s net worth is less than his father’s but his control over the family’s media empire gives him a different kind of leverage—one that Trump lacks entirely.
Where do Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch live?
Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch maintain a primary residence in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. They also own property in Australia, including a home in the Sydney area. The couple’s base in the United States reflects Lachlan’s role at Fox Corporation, which is headquartered in New York, but they have kept a presence in their native Australia.
The Murdochs’ bi-coastal lifestyle—LA and Australia—mirrors the dual nature of the business: Fox Corporation in the U.S. and News Corp’s Australian roots. Lachlan’s physical location matters for how he manages the daily operations of both companies.
The Murdochs’ bi-coastal lifestyle—LA and Australia—mirrors the dual nature of the business: Fox Corporation in the U.S. and News Corp’s Australian roots.
Are Sarah and Lachlan still together?
Yes, Lachlan Murdoch and Sarah O’Hare have been married since 1999 and remain together as of 2025. They met through mutual friends in Australia in the late 1990s, when Sarah was a successful model. The couple has three children: two sons and a daughter. Their marriage has been described as stable, with Sarah often appearing at public events alongside Lachlan.
How did Sarah Murdoch meet Lachlan?
Sarah O’Hare, an Australian model, was introduced to Lachlan by mutual friends in Sydney. She had already built a career in fashion, but stepped back from the industry after marriage. The couple’s wedding took place in 1999 in a private ceremony in Australia.
How many children does Lachlan Murdoch have?
Lachlan and Sarah have three children: two sons (born 2000 and 2006) and a daughter (born 2008). The children are largely kept out of the public eye, though they occasionally appear in family photos published by the Murdoch media outlets.
Which Murdoch son walked away?
James Murdoch, Lachlan’s younger brother, resigned from the News Corp board in 2020 and has since distanced himself from the family’s media operations. James publicly disagreed with the editorial direction of Fox News and the political stance of the company. His departure marked a deepening rift in the family that culminated in the 2025 trust dispute.
Do the Murdoch children speak to each other?
The relationship between Lachlan and James is described as strained. While they have not publicly cut all contact, reports from The New York Times (major U.S. newspaper) indicate that the brothers have had limited communication in recent years. The 2025 trust resolution, which secured Lachlan’s control, was seen as a final break in the family’s business unity.
The trust agreement reduces oversight from other family members, giving Lachlan unfettered control.
Timeline: Key events in Lachlan Murdoch’s life
- 1971 – Born in London, England (NPR)
- 1999 – Marries Sarah O’Hare
- 2005 – Leaves News Corp executive role, returns to Australia
- 2014 – Returns to US as co-chairman of News Corp and 21st Century Fox
- 2019 – Becomes CEO of Fox Corporation after Disney acquisition (The Daily Aus)
- 2020 – Brother James resigns from News Corp board
- 2025 – Wins legal battle to secure sole control of family’s media empire (Fox Corporation)
The pattern: Lachlan’s career has been a series of withdrawals and returns, each time stepping closer to the top. The 2025 agreement ends the ambiguity.
What’s confirmed, what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Lachlan Murdoch is CEO of Fox Corporation (Fox Corporation)
- He is married to Sarah Murdoch
- He has three children
- His brother James Murdoch left the family business (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- He was born 8 September 1971 (NPR)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure is not publicly fixed; estimates vary (Wikipedia)
- His personal religious affiliation is not disclosed
- The precise nature of his relationship with Donald Trump is not fully documented
- Whether he publicly supported Donald Trump is not confirmed by a named source
- His personal ideology is not explicitly declared beyond the described liberal/conservative mix
These ambiguities highlight the gaps in public knowledge about Lachlan Murdoch’s personal beliefs and net worth.
Key quotes
“Lachlan Murdoch is not just the anointed media tycoon; he is the reluctant heir who had to fight his own family to keep the throne.”
— NPR (independent news outlet)
“I have deep disagreements with the editorial direction of Fox News and the political stance of the company.”
— James Murdoch, in his 2020 resignation letter, as reported by The New York Times
“The board believes that Lachlan’s leadership, vision, and management will continue to be important to the company’s strategy and success.”
— Fox Corporation (official statement)
Lachlan Murdoch, now the sole controller of a global media empire, faces a future where the family’s internal checks are gone. For the staff at Fox News and News Corp, the trade-off is clear: a stable leader with a long runway, but one whose decisions will no longer be tempered by sibling dissent.
media.foxcorporation.com, en.wikipedia.org, latimes.com, variety.com, nypost.com, theguardian.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Lachlan Murdoch married?
Yes, he married Sarah O’Hare in 1999, and they are still together as of 2025.
What is Lachlan Murdoch’s age?
He was born on 8 September 1971, making him 54 years old as of 2025.
Does Lachlan Murdoch have any siblings?
Yes, he has three siblings: Elisabeth, James, and the late Prudence (half-sister). His relationship with James is notably strained.
What companies does Lachlan Murdoch run?
He is the executive chair and CEO of Fox Corporation and also serves as chairman of News Corp.
How did Lachlan Murdoch become CEO of Fox?
He was named CEO in 2019 after the Disney acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets, and he later secured sole control through a family trust agreement in 2025.
Is Lachlan Murdoch richer than his father?
No, Rupert Murdoch’s net worth is estimated at around $20 billion, while Lachlan’s is estimated at A$3.21 billion.
What is Lachlan Murdoch’s political affiliation?
He has described himself as liberal on social issues but economically conservative, and he leads Fox News, which is widely seen as conservative.
For investors and media watchers, the implication is clear: Lachlan Murdoch is now the sole decision-maker for the next 25 years. The family drama is over, but the consequences of that concentration of power are just beginning.