Rupert Murdoch engaged at 92 – and the past wives of media mogul

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch is due to marry for the fifth time at the age of 92. The billionaire proposed to partner Ann Lesley Smith, 66, less than a year after finalising his divorce from model Jerry Hall, also 66. Mr Murdoch, who owns a number of British newspapers including The Sun and The Times, met former police chaplain Ms Smith six months ago.

He announced news of their engagement in the New York Post, which he also owns.

In an interview, Mr Murdoch said that he had popped the question with an Asscher-cut diamond solitaire ring that he said he had “personally selected”.

He also told how he had “dreaded” falling in love again and was “nervous” about getting married for a fifth time – but was confident this marriage would be his last.

“I was very nervous,” he explained. “I dreaded falling in love – but I knew this would be my last. It better be. I’m happy.”

American Ms Smith described their whirlwind relationship as “a gift from God” and told how she and Mr Murdoch “share the same beliefs” and “speak the same language”.

The couple say they plan to get married this summer. They reportedly plan to share their time between homes in California, Montana, New York as well as the UK.

Mr Murdoch, a father of six who is thought to be worth around $17billion, proposed to Ms Smith in New York City on St Patrick’s Day.

The Australian-born businessman joked in the interview: “I’m one-fourth Irish.” Mr Murdoch revealed that he first met Ms Smith
at an event at his Moraga vineyard in California in September – and had summoned up the courage to call her two weeks later.

Ms Smith, who was married to the late country music star Chester Smith, told how her relationship with Mr Murdoch was “not her first rodeo”.

In the New York Times interview, she said: “I’m a widow 14 years. Like Rupert, my husband was a businessman. Worked for local papers, developed radio and TV stations and helped promote Univision.

So I speak Rupert’s language. We share the same beliefs.”

Ms Smith added that she feels she “waited for the right time” to get engaged again, and said her friends were “happy” for her.

Before her relationship with country music star Chester, who died of a heart attack in August 2008 at the age of 78, Ms Smith was married to

John B. Huntington – an attorney who was a descendant of one of California’s pioneering railroad families. Following their split, she told the Christian Broadcasting Network that Huntington has “physically and mentally abused” her.

Mr Murdoch has four daughters and two sons from his previous marriages.

His fourth wife was Texan model Jerry, the ex wife of Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger. Their six-year marriage ended in 2022.

At the time Jerry was reported to have been “heartbroken” at the end of the relationship.