Lachlan Murdoch takes control of family media empire after settlement

In the United States, a significant development unfolded on September 8, 2025, as Lachlan Murdoch, the eldest son of Rupert Murdoch, attained control of his family’s media empire. This change comes as a resolution to an ongoing succession dispute that had persisted for several years, intensifying particularly in 2024. The settlement followed negotiations between Lachlan and his siblings, Prudence, Elisabeth, and James, regarding the family trust, which plays a pivotal role in governing their media holdings, including significant shares in Fox Corporation and News Corporation. The settlement, reportedly valued at $3.3 billion, involves a structured agreement wherein Lachlan has been granted sole control of the family trust, while his siblings will exit as beneficiaries. Each sibling will receive approximately $1.4 billion, as calculated using share prices from early September 2025, allowing them a financial settlement while relinquishing control over the family assets. The decision to dissolve the existing trust and establish a new one enables Lachlan to maintain authority over the media business until at least 2050, securing his influence across the family’s substantial media assets for the foreseeable future. The strategy to fund these settlements will include the liquidation of approximately 16.9 million Class B shares in Fox and around 14.2 million Class B shares in News Corp. This financial maneuvering indicates a directed effort to resolve the succession crises that have long gripped the Murdoch family and their vast media operations. By achieving this settlement, the Murdoch family aims to ensure stability within their corporate legacy as they navigate the complex dynamics of leadership and ownership in the media landscape. As a result of this agreement, discussions around Rupert Murdoch's influence and legacy continue to evolve. At 94 years old, the patriarch of the Murdoch family remains a prominent figure in media, and the arrangements made today reflect the ongoing negotiations and power dynamics that have shaped both personal and corporate relationships within the family. This transition marks a pivotal moment in the Murdoch saga, revealing how family negotiations can significantly alter the landscape of powerful media empires like News Corp and Fox Corp. It sets the stage for future developments which may influence both the family's structure and the broader media industry in the coming years.