Media mogul Rupert Murdoch is set to tie the knot for the fifth time, following his recent engagement to former model and actress Ann Lesley Smith. The announcement has generated widespread interest, given Murdoch’s high-profile career and personal life, which has been marked by multiple marriages and controversies. Many are wondering about the impact of this latest development on Murdoch’s business empire, while others are questioning the dynamics of his romantic relationships. As the news continues to circulate, all eyes are now on Murdoch and Smith as they prepare to take the next step in their journey together.
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has announced his engagement to Ann Lesley Smith. The 92-year-old Murdoch jokingly said that this engagement “better be” his last, having been wed four times previously. His most recent divorce was from Jerry Hall, which was finalised in August 2022, following a six-year marriage. Murdoch has previously mentioned that he is “one-fourth Irish” and proposed to Ann Lesley Smith during the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in New York with an Asscher-cut diamond solitaire engagement ring that he personally selected.
The announcement of the engagement was made in the New York Post, which is owned by Mr Murdoch’s News Corporation. Murdoch stated that the couple met in September 2022 at his vineyard, Moraga in Bel Air, California. Murdoch was nervous and dreaded falling in love but knew that this would be his last engagement. He mentioned, “It better be. I’m happy.”
Ann Lesley Smith, 66-year-old, former San Francisco police chaplain, and widow of 14 years, whose late husband was a country musician, Chester Smith, met Rupert Murdoch last September. Smith mentioned, “For us both, it’s a gift from God. Like Rupert, my husband was a businessman. Worked for local papers, developed radio and TV stations and helped promote Univision. So, I speak Rupert’s language. We share the same beliefs.”
Murdoch said, “She and her husband also owned a vineyard and had been in the wine business. Last year when there were 200 people at my vineyard, I met her and we talked a bit. Two weeks later, I called her.” Smith also stated, “In perspective, it’s not my first rodeo. Getting near 70 means being in the last half. I waited for the right time. Friends are happy for me. We’re both looking forward to spending the second half of our lives together.”
The couple will split their time between California, the UK, Montana, and New York, and the wedding is set for late summer.
Murdoch was previously married to Hall in 2016, while his third wife was Wendi Deng, mother to two of his children, but they split in June 2013. He was married to his second wife, Anna Murdoch, with whom he shares three children, from 1967 until 1999, while his first wife was flight attendant Patricia Booker, with whom he shares a daughter.
Having been married four times before while being 92-years-old, Rupert Murdoch’s engagement to Ann Lesley Smith, at 66 years, in March 2023 raised many eyebrows. Yet, it is believed that the couple is elated about their future together. While the previous marriages did not work, the hope that the next one will be the one that lasts a lifetime never fades.
Marriage is a beautiful thing, and it’s encouraging to see individuals owing up to what they believe; Murdoch believes that his fifth engagement is the one that keeps, and Smith believes that love found her at the right time. As they plan to share the second half of their lives, can we celebrate what others see as unconventional with them?
The truth is that if you live in the public eye, your life becomes their source of entertainment, your success or failure is their food for gossip. While some thrive on this attention, others live their lives low-keyed to the point of social media absence. Regardless of how you live your life, it’s enough to appreciate that love can be found no matter the age or season.
It is also admirable that the couple is committed to navigating their long-distance relationship. Marriage can be challenging, and when it’s a long-distance relationship, it takes a different level of commitment to make it work. The couple plans to split their time between California, the UK, Montana, and New York, making it clear that distance will not hinder their happiness.
The uniqueness of Rupert Murdoch and Ann Lesley Smith’s engagement shows that regardless of age, location, or background, anyone can find love. It would be interesting to imagine what their relationship would be like in a few years, but regardless of what the future holds, we know they make each other happy.
As the couple plans to spend the second half of their lives together, it’s our duty as well-wishers to celebrate that unconventional love has found them. Love should be cherished, irrespective of how it comes. So, it’s great news that Rupert Murdoch and Ann Lesley Smith have found each other and are willing to spend the rest of their lives together.
In conclusion, Rupert Murdoch’s engagement to Ann Lesley Smith, his former model and actress girlfriend, has made headlines around the world. This will be the media mogul’s fifth marriage and the new couple seems to be happy and excited about their future together. While some may question the age difference between the 89-year-old Murdoch and his 59-year-old fiancée, they prove that age is just a number when it comes to love. As we await news of their impending nuptials, we can only wish them a happy and long-lasting marriage, filled with love and happiness.
