The inheritance feud that's tearing the Murdochs apart
The Independent|July 27, 2024
The latest chapter in the family's battle for power is straight out of 'Succession', writes Chris Blackhurst - with the media mogul's 'Project Harmony' proving anything but harmonious
Chris Blackhurst
The inheritance feud that's tearing the Murdochs apart

When is $2bn not enough? When you're James Murdoch and it's given to you by your father, Rupert. James's lack of gratitude has earned him the sobriquet "the troublesome beneficiary" among Rupert's lawyers. Presumably, the 93-year-old mogul has a less understated, not so polite, phrase of his own for his younger son. Certainly, Logan Roy from Succession would have one, if his son Kendall were behaving in such a fashion.

It's impossible not to compare the latest machinations within the Murdoch dynasty with the hit TV series. As in Succession, the Murdochs' feuding involves glamorous lifestyles and mindboggling sums - with $2bn handed to each of Rupert's six children in 2019 - and show-stopping scenes, such as his daughter Elisabeth reportedly hurling a string of expletives at the old man in December last year, when he told her and her sister Prudence of his plan to rewrite the terms of the family trust so that favoured son Lachlan would secure control of the media empire.

That was followed last month by Rupert's wedding to Elena Zhukova, his fifth wife, at his California vineyard. Absent were Elisabeth, Prudence and James. Lachlan attended, of course. Looking at the photographs of the happy couple, you're left wondering what Murdoch was really thinking; behind those eyes, was he boiling with anger?

Esta historia es de la edición July 27, 2024 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición July 27, 2024 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE INDEPENDENTVer todo
Carse justifies England faith as the archetypal bold pick
The Independent

Carse justifies England faith as the archetypal bold pick

If you won a boxing match after your opponent continually punched themselves in the face, how much credit can you take?

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
Tenacious Diallo the key to Amorim pressing machine
The Independent

Tenacious Diallo the key to Amorim pressing machine

Old Trafford has not seen anything like this before.

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
Gold King Cole packs the Bridge with merry old souls
The Independent

Gold King Cole packs the Bridge with merry old souls

In the 83rd minute, the ball rolled to the feet of Cole Palmer in a bubble of space outside Aston Villa's box, and the crowd snapped to attention.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
Vibrant Anfield marks the changing of the Guardiola
The Independent

Vibrant Anfield marks the changing of the Guardiola

There was a lull in the noise, a break in the Anfield atmosphere, when a defiant chant emerged from a corner near Stefan Ortega’s goal.

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
What is so daunting about Spain's new data checks?
The Independent

What is so daunting about Spain's new data checks?

Q You have written about the new “red tape” for visitors to Spain. So, as well as your usual passport details you will give a contact number, address and email. Not exactly the Spanish Inquisition, is it?

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
Sectarian clashes claim at least 130 lives in Pakistan
The Independent

Sectarian clashes claim at least 130 lives in Pakistan

At least 130 people were killed in deadly sectarian clashes in Pakistan's northwestern Kurram district in spite of a tentative ceasefire, days after gunmen opened fire on a convoy of vehicles carrying Shia Muslims, local officials said.

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
Coalition government likely in Ireland as count proceeds
The Independent

Coalition government likely in Ireland as count proceeds

Fianna Fail say decisions on power-sharing for another day’

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
How Syria's forgotten war is back on the world's agenda
The Independent

How Syria's forgotten war is back on the world's agenda

Many believed the country was lost in an unsolvable conflict, until everything changed in a matter of days, writes Bel Trew

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
Assad regime scrambles to halt Syrian rebels’ advance
The Independent

Assad regime scrambles to halt Syrian rebels’ advance

Civilians reportedly killed by Russian and Syrian airstrikes

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
Mother of poisoning victim says she knew she would die
The Independent

Mother of poisoning victim says she knew she would die

Lawyer Simone White succumbed to the effects of methanol while backpacking in Laos with two of her childhood friends

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 02, 2024