https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/magazine/rupert-murdoch-succession-family-trust-fight.html Magazine|'You've Blown a Hole in the Family': Inside the Murdochs' Succession Drama https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/magazine/ rupert-murdoch-succession-family-trust-fight.html * Share full article * * * 1.1k 1064 You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. A photo illustration of members of the Murdoch family collaged together. Credit...Photo illustration by Mike McQuade Skip to contentSkip to site index 'You've Blown a Hole in the Family': Inside the Murdochs' Succession Drama More than 3,000 pages of documents reveal how years of betrayals led to a messy court battle that threatens the future of Rupert's empire. Credit...Photo illustration by Mike McQuade Supported by SKIP ADVERTISEMENT * Share full article * * * 1.1k 1064 Jonathan MahlerJim Rutenberg By Jonathan Mahler and Jim Rutenberg Jonathan Mahler, a staff writer for The Times Magazine, and Jim Rutenberg, a writer at large for The Times and The Times Magazine, have reported on the Murdochs for more than two decades and across three continents. * Feb. 13, 2025 Part 1: 'These companies are my legacy' In early December 2023, Rupert Murdoch flew into London to see his two oldest daughters, Prudence and Elisabeth. It was not a social visit. For months, Rupert and his firstborn son, Lachlan, had been working on a secret plan to amend the family's trust to strip three of his other children -- Prue, Liz and James -- of their power to influence the direction of the family business. Their lawyers had named it Project Family Harmony. The trust, which holds the shares that control the Murdochs' global media empire, gives Rupert authority over his two companies until his death. After that, the voting power is distributed equally among his four oldest children. It is irrevocable, but it includes a provision that gives Rupert the ability to make changes as long as he is acting solely in the best interests of his beneficiaries. This was the provision that he intended to exploit in order to consolidate control in Lachlan, the most politically conservative of the four. By the time Rupert was on the plane to London, he had already called a special meeting of the trust's board -- to be held two days later -- to ratify the changes. He had the votes he needed to ensure it passed, but he hoped to sell Prue and Liz on supporting the idea to avoid a nasty legal fight with his own children. Listen to this article, read by Malcolm Hillgartner Rupert did not intend to tell James in advance. The two men were hardly speaking. It was the 50-year-old James, really, who had brought his father to this place: Rupert and Lachlan, who was 52, were convinced that he planned to lead a family coup to take control away from Lachlan after their father's death. R Rupert email arrow and three dots To: Prudence Why don't you suggest that he calls me on my birthday and then I can widen the conversation? P Prudence email arrow and three dots To: Rupert Tell him you miss seeing the kids, ask how they are, etc, ask him about all the things he's been doing. R Rupert email arrow and three dots To: Prudence I know. Not totally stupid. Prue, trying to reach you. I'm in LA. I think you're in England. Lachlan I will call in 30 minutes. Prue Lachlan trying to reach me! Prue Has he called you? Going back into meetings at 2? Prue Nothing terrible. He got me and was just giving us the heads up that dad's retirement is going out today. Liz I can't support Lachlan if he doesn't change his stance on climate change. He has now appointed the ghastly Tony Abbott to the Fox Board, which I'm sure you know. Prue I didn't know that!! Liz It's in The Observer today. There's a lot of stuff in there. Page 24. Fears over direction of Murdoch empire after climate skeptic endorsed. Prue Oh my God, what a bad move. Definitely making it clear I am voting against that appointment. Liz Good. We don't have a vote right now, though? Prue A Anna email arrow and three dots To: Rupert I think it is imperative that you get this sorted out soon. Some toes will be trod on and egos hurt but it would be worse to leave things as they are. You are the kingpin. You still hold the power. R Rupert email arrow and three dots To: Anna Would love nothing more than peace all around. But the fact remains Lachlan is the best to run the business -- greatly respected inside and outside! James is very bright and articulate -- but time and again showed poor judgment. We are having trouble retrieving the article content. 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