Rupert Murdoch & Jerry Hall: The 11-Word Email That Ended a Media Mogul's Fourth Marriage
She learned her 6-year marriage was over from an email -- then found surveillance cameras still watching her
Key Facts
What Happened
In June 2022, 91-year-old media mogul Rupert Murdoch ended his fourth marriage to supermodel Jerry Hall with what may be the most coldly efficient divorce notification in billionaire history. Hall was waiting for Murdoch at their Oxfordshire estate when she checked her phone and found an email that began: 'Jerry, sadly I've decided to call an end to our marriage. We have certainly had some good times, but I have much to do.' She told friends she was completely blindsided.
The couple had married in 2016 in a lavish ceremony in London after a whirlwind courtship. Hall, formerly the long-time partner of Mick Jagger, was 59; Murdoch was 84. The marriage lasted six years. Despite the brevity, Hall reportedly signed a prenuptial agreement that limited her claims on Murdoch's $17 billion fortune. When the divorce was filed, Hall chose not to contest the prenup, allowing for a relatively swift resolution.
The details that emerged about the divorce were chilling in their efficiency. Hall was reportedly given 30 days to remove her belongings from Murdoch's Bel Air estate, with security guards watching as her children helped her pack. She had to provide receipts to prove which items belonged to her. When she settled into Holmwood House, the Oxfordshire estate she received in the settlement, she discovered that surveillance cameras installed during the marriage were still sending footage back to Fox headquarters.
One of the most unusual provisions in the settlement reportedly barred Hall from providing story ideas to the writers of 'Succession' -- the HBO series widely believed to be inspired by the Murdoch family. The clause suggested that Murdoch's legal team was more concerned about narrative control than financial exposure. The divorce was finalized by August 2022, making it one of the fastest billionaire divorces on record. Murdoch would go on to announce a fifth engagement to Elena Zhukova in 2024.
Legal Breakdown: Prenuptial Agreements
Prenuptial Agreements in Short Marriages
Hall's decision not to challenge the prenup was pragmatic. In short marriages -- especially when both parties entered with significant individual wealth -- courts are more likely to enforce prenups strictly. The shorter the marriage, the less likely a court is to find that circumstances changed enough to warrant overriding the agreement. Hall's acceptance of the prenup's terms enabled a fast, clean break.
Non-Financial Settlement Provisions
The 'Succession' clause demonstrates that modern divorce settlements can include provisions far beyond money and property. Non-disclosure agreements, non-disparagement clauses, social media restrictions, and intellectual property protections are increasingly common in high-profile divorces. These provisions can be as strategically important as the financial terms.
Surveillance and Privacy Post-Divorce
The discovery that surveillance cameras were still transmitting footage after the divorce raises serious legal questions about privacy, stalking, and electronic monitoring. In most jurisdictions, continuing to surveil an ex-spouse after separation is illegal. This detail illustrates the importance of conducting a thorough security audit of your home and devices during and after divorce proceedings.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →A prenuptial agreement in a short marriage is almost always enforced. Know exactly what you signed and what you are entitled to before deciding whether to contest it.
- →After separation, conduct a full security audit: check for surveillance cameras, tracking devices on vehicles, monitoring software on phones and computers.
- →Divorce notifications by email may feel cruel, but they do not affect your legal rights. Focus on your response strategy, not the method of notification.
- →Non-financial provisions (NDAs, non-disparagement, media restrictions) can be just as consequential as the money. Review every clause with your lawyer.
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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.