Today in Focus Rupert Murdoch picks a son in the real-life succession battle
Sep 15, 2025
Emily Bell, a Guardian contributor and professor at Columbia Journalism School, dives into the complexities of the Murdoch family dynamics and the succession battle for Rupert Murdoch's media empire. She discusses Lachlan Murdoch as the chosen heir, his political evolution, and how he plans to navigate his father's vast legacy. The episode explores the contentious legal battles over the family trust and the implications of their real-life saga compared to the hit series 'Succession.' Tune in for insights into the future of a media dynasty.
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Murdoch Built A Personified Media Empire
- Rupert Murdoch built a global media empire spanning Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and major UK papers from his Australian roots.
- The business remains deeply personified by Murdoch's influence and editorial instincts even as it transitions generations.
1999 Trust Locked In Equal Succession
- A 1999 irrevocable trust gave equal voting shares to Rupert's four adult children and aimed to fix succession among them.
- That equality meant any two children could outvote a leader, making future control contingent on family consensus.
Succession TV Spurred Real-Life Action
- Prudence and Elizabeth watched Succession and realised they hadn't formalised plans for their father's death.
- That inspired them to act and contest Rupert's attempt to change the trust, triggering litigation in Nevada.