Rupert Murdoch in new romance with Russian oligarch’s ex mother-in-law
Sydney | Months after calling off his fifth wedding, Rupert Murdoch has struck up a new romance with a Russian woman while holidaying on a yacht off the coast in Europe.
Photos emerged earlier this week showing Mr Murdoch, 92, alongside Elena Zhukova, 66, on a rented yacht in the Mediterranean.
Rupert Murdoch and Elena Zhukova.
Ms Zhukova is a retired scientist who was introduced to Mr Murdoch by the media mogul’s ex-wife Wendi Deng, according to a person familiar with the matter.
She is the mother of Darya Zhukova, who was married to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich until 2018. Mr Murdoch’s Australian representatives declined to comment.
The former scientist left Russia in 1991 and recently worked as a molecular biologist at the University of California until she retired. She has reportedly been divorced twice.
Mr Murdoch and Ms Zhukova are reportedly on a rented yacht with the media mogul’s two daughters from his marriage to Ms Deng, Grace and Chloe. The yacht has been spotted off Corfu earlier this week.
Former scientist Elena Zhukova, pictured with Rupert Murdoch this week, left Russia in 1991.
It is the latest in a string of romances for Mr Murdoch, who remains atop a sprawling media empire that includes News Corp and Fox Entertainment. Recent business moves also indicate the billionaire has no intention of slowing down.
In April, the mogul abruptly called off his engagement to former American dental hygienist Ann Lesley Smith, who had later become a conservative radio host.
Mr Murdoch had been photographed with Ms Lesley Smith while on holiday in Barbados in January. In March, Mr Murdoch announced his engagement through an item in News Corp’s New York Post.
“I was very nervous,” Mr Murdoch said. “I dreaded
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