Media baron Rupert Murdoch and his soon-to-be-ex-wife say they are parting with “mutual respect” after telling a judge they had reached a divorce deal.
The chairman of News Corp. and 21st Century Fox and his wife of 14 years, Wendi Deng Murdoch, shook hands and briefly hugged after a brief proceeding in a Manhattan court. The terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed in court.
“We are pleased to announce that we have reached an amicable settlement of all matters relating to our divorce,” the two said in a statement released through a publicist. “We move forward with mutual respect and a shared interest in the health and happiness of our two daughters.”
The divorce isn’t technically final; it will happen after state Supreme Court Justice Ellen Gesmer signs some yet-to-be-submitted paperwork. She told the couple on Wednesday (local time) she was “glad that you have been able to resolve these matters amicably.”
The two answered Gesmer’s yes-and-no questions about whether they understood and approved an agreement ending their marriage. Asked whether he was satisfied with the agreement, Rupert Murdoch replied in a strong voice, “Yes, your honour.”
The settlement is largely based on two prenuptial agreements and two “postnuptial” agreements that modified the original agreements, a person familiar with the situation said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the matter is personal.
The divorce will end a third marriage for Rupert Murdoch, 82, who got his start in his family’s newspaper business in his native Australia and built a global media conglomerate. Forbes pegged his and his family’s wealth at $13.4 billion (NZ$16b) in September.
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– Reuters
