Independent

Rupert Murdoch locked in secret legal battle with children over future of media empire

Secret family battle for Murdoch empire revealed in sealed court documents: NYT

Conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch is engaged in a legal battle with three of his children over who will control his media empire after his death, according to documents obtained by The New York Times.

Guardian

The 93-year-old patriarch of the Murdoch family – which controls Fox, News Corp, and many other news outlets – is looking to amend an irrevocable family trust to give full control of voting powers and decision-making to his son Lachlan.

www.ft.com

With an estimated value of $19.5B, the Murdoch empire is controlled by a trust that is equally shared by Rupert’s four eldest children – Lachlan, James, Elisabeth, and Prudence. However, their father wants to give total control to Lachlan in order to preserve a right-leaning editorial stance.

Lachlan, the most conservative Murdoch heir, took over as the leader of Fox and News Corp last after his father stepped down. Rupert argues that amending the trust is legal because it benefits all of his heirs by maintaining continuity and protecting the value of the business.

However, the three siblings are challenging their father’s move, arguing that he cannot rewrite the trust to give more power to their conservative brother. Last month, a Nevada probate commissioner ruled that Murdoch could amend the trust if he did so in good faith and for the sole benefit of his heirs.

nytimes

A trial in a Nevada probate is expected to begin in September with Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch on one side and the three estranged siblings on the other.

Rupert Murdoch Seeks to Hand Empire to Son Lachlan, Prompting Challenge From Other Children

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Rupert Murdoch Seeks to Hand Empire to Son Lachlan, Prompting Challenge From Other Children

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