The inheritance feud that's tearing the Murdochs apart

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

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?