Business & Money • Media Mogul

Rupert Murdoch

Rupert Murdoch is an Australian-born American media mogul and newspaper publisher who founded News Corporation in 1979.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rupert Murdoch is an Australian-born American media mogul and newspaper publisher who founded News Corporation in 1979. He built a global media empire spanning print, television, and digital assets, and stepped down from his leadership roles at Fox and News Corp in 2023. He remains one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern media.

Early life and education

Rupert Murdoch was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on March 11, 1931. He studied at Oxford University before returning to Australia to work in the family newspaper business.

Business career

Murdoch expanded from Australian newspapers into British and American media, building a large international portfolio. His companies became major players in print publishing, television, and news broadcasting.

News Corporation and Fox

Murdoch founded News Corporation in 1979. The company later split into separate entities, including News Corp and Fox Corporation, with Murdoch retaining leadership roles until 2023.

Public influence and controversies

Murdoch has been a major force in shaping modern media markets and political discourse. His ownership style and editorial influence have also made him a frequent subject of controversy.

Key facts

Murdoch founded News Corporation in 1979 and later oversaw its reorganization into separate media businesses.
His media holdings have included major newspapers and television properties in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1985 to meet American broadcast ownership requirements.
He stepped down from leadership roles at Fox Corp. and News Corp in 2023.
He has been widely described as one of the most influential and controversial media executives of his era.

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Canadian context

Murdoch's media empire has had international influence, including on Canadian media consumers through coverage and content circulation from Fox-related and newspaper brands, but he is not primarily a Canadian figure.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rupert Murdoch?

Rupert Murdoch is an Australian-born American media entrepreneur and newspaper publisher best known for founding News Corporation and building a major international media empire.

What companies is Rupert Murdoch associated with?

He is most closely associated with News Corp and Fox Corporation, as well as earlier control of major newspapers and television businesses in several countries.

When was Rupert Murdoch born?

He was born on March 11, 1931, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Did Rupert Murdoch retire?

He stepped down from his chairman roles at Fox Corp. and News Corp in 2023 and later retired from active leadership.

Why is Rupert Murdoch important?

He played a central role in reshaping newspaper publishing and commercial television across Australia, the UK, and the US.

References

Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rupert-Murdoch
Supports: Birth date and place, founding of News Corporation, corporate restructuring, and retirement from leadership in 2023.
BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-14078128
Supports: Overview of Murdoch's media influence, controversial reputation, and family/leadership context.
Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/journalism-and-publishing-biographies/rupert-murdoch
Supports: Career chronology, Australian newspaper expansion, U.S. citizenship, and major business milestones.
National Portrait Gallery (Australia) — https://www.portrait.gov.au/people/rupert-murdoch-1931
Supports: Early family background, Australian newspaper expansion, acquisition history, citizenship, and family details.