The battle for control of Rupert Murdoch’s vast media empire is already simmering behind the scenes, long before the 93-year-old patriarch has relinquished his grip. Though he formally stepped down from day-to-day operations last year, Murdoch still holds immense influence over the structure and future of the empire he built, and the question of who will ultimately take the reins remains far from settled.
The struggle for succession among Murdoch’s children—particularly Lachlan, James, and Elisabeth—has drawn constant comparison to the fictional drama Succession, a hit HBO series widely believed to be inspired by the Murdoch dynasty. Like the Roy family in the show, the Murdochs are caught in a web of rivalry, ambition, loyalty tests, and shifting alliances. Unlike the series, however, the stakes here are real, and the outcome will shape the direction of some of the world’s most powerful media outlets, including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal.
Lachlan Murdoch, the eldest son from Rupert’s second marriage, is currently positioned as the heir apparent, serving as executive chair and CEO of Fox Corporation. Known for his conservative leanings and loyalty to his father’s vision, Lachlan has long been seen as the most ideologically aligned with Rupert. His ascent to the top spot has not been without controversy, as critics question his judgment and leadership style, particularly during moments of crisis at Fox News.
James Murdoch, in contrast, has distanced himself from the family’s right-leaning media interests in recent years, resigning from the News Corp board in 2020 and expressing discomfort with the editorial direction of Fox News and other Murdoch-owned outlets. His philanthropic and environmental endeavors have further fueled speculation that he could return in a reformer’s role, should the company’s power structure ever shift.
Elisabeth Murdoch, a media executive in her own right, has largely stayed out of the fray in public, but her experience and independent ventures suggest she cannot be discounted in the behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Her production company, Shine Group, achieved success with series like MasterChef, and she has long been viewed as a shrewd and creative operator.
Adding to the complexity is the family trust, which holds the controlling shares of the media conglomerate and will eventually determine the fate of the empire. Rupert Murdoch’s four eldest children—Lachlan, James, Elisabeth, and Prudence—will have equal voting rights once their father dies. That balance of power sets the stage for a high-stakes confrontation, as each sibling could potentially join forces or splinter apart depending on shifting loyalties and strategic interests.
The parallels to the fictional Roy family are unmistakable. In both narratives, an aging mogul struggles to balance love and power, while his offspring maneuver to secure influence and control. The uncertainty surrounding Murdoch’s eventual passing has kept industry insiders guessing, with observers debating whether Lachlan can maintain unity, whether James will mount a return, or whether a fracture among siblings could lead to a full-blown power struggle.
While the scripted drama of Succession offered closure in its series finale, the real-life Murdoch saga remains open-ended. What is certain is that the succession drama is no longer hypothetical. It is unfolding in real time, with global media, political influence, and billions of dollars at stake.
