Rupert Murdoch & Wendi Deng: The Prenup That Saved a Media Empire
After the $1.7 billion lesson, Murdoch made sure the second time cost far less
Key Facts
What Happened
Having paid $1.7 billion in his divorce from Anna Torv, Rupert Murdoch was not about to make the same mistake twice. When he married Wendi Deng in 1999, a comprehensive prenuptial agreement was in place. Their divorce in 2013, after 14 years of marriage, resulted in a settlement reportedly far smaller than what Deng might have received without the prenup.
The marriage had been rocky for years. Reports surfaced that Deng had developed a close friendship with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, which Murdoch's associates described as the final straw. Deng denied any romantic involvement, but handwritten notes found later -- in which she described Blair as having 'good legs' and 'a really good body' -- suggested the friendship was more than professional.
The prenup limited Deng's settlement to their New York apartment (worth approximately $44 million) and reportedly restricted her share of Murdoch's News Corp holdings. She did not receive any voting shares in the company or a seat on any boards. Given Murdoch's net worth of approximately $14 billion at the time, the prenup saved him billions compared to what a community property split would have yielded.
The Murdoch-Deng divorce was a textbook case of a wealthy person learning from a previous divorce. The first time, without a prenup, cost $1.7 billion. The second time, with a prenup, cost a fraction. Deng went on to become a prominent venture capital investor in Silicon Valley, while Murdoch continued expanding his media empire and married two more times -- with prenups each time.
Legal Breakdown: Prenups in Second Marriages
Learning from the First Divorce
Murdoch's first divorce cost $1.7B because there was no prenup. His second divorce cost a fraction because there was one. This pattern is universal: second marriages almost always include prenuptial agreements because both parties (and their lawyers) have learned from experience. The cost difference can be measured in billions.
Prenups Limiting Stock and Voting Rights
The Murdoch-Deng prenup reportedly excluded Deng from receiving any voting shares in News Corp. In media and tech companies, voting shares are the real power. By keeping voting shares out of the prenup settlement, Murdoch ensured the divorce would not affect his corporate control.
Short Marriage, Long Prenup Protection
Even a 14-year marriage -- which is not short by any measure -- resulted in a modest settlement because the prenup defined the terms. Without it, 14 years in a community property state would have entitled Deng to billions. Prenups do not expire or weaken with time unless they contain sunset clauses.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →The difference between a divorce with a prenup and without one can be measured in billions. Murdoch's two divorces prove it.
- →Second marriages almost always need prenups. Both parties enter with more experience and should use it.
- →Prenups can exclude voting shares and corporate control from the settlement, protecting business interests.
- →A prenup does not mean you get nothing -- Deng still received a multi-million-dollar apartment and assets. It means the terms are defined in advance.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.