Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Daniel Bird

Rupert Murdoch, 92, engaged less than a year after Jerry Hall divorce

Rupert Murdoch has announced he is engaged to be married, again, less than a year after he and Jerry Hall divorced.

The billionaire and his soon-to-be wife met just six months ago following the finalisation of his fourth marriage to model Jerry Hall.

Rupert, 92, opened up about the news admitting the he was quite nervous about getting down on one knee for the fifth time but had "personally selected" the stunning ring.

Melbourne-born Murdoch, who is estimated to be worth around $17 billion USD decided on an Asscher-cut diamond solitaire ring for Ann Lesley Smith.

Speaking about their romance, he explained that he had "dreaded falling in love" but was adamant this would be his "last" relationship.

Rupert Murdoch, 92, is engaged to Ann Lesley Smith (Jenna Bascom Photography)

Reflecting on the proposal and romance, he told the New York Post, the media mogul said: "I knew this would be my last, it better be, I'm happy."

He went on to add that he popped the question on St Patrick's Day in New York due to the fact he is "one-fourth Irish".

Rupert and Ann Lesley met in September 2022 at his Moraga vineyard in California with the media man later phoning his new fiancée just two weeks later.

Lesly Ann, a former police chaplain described their relationship with one another as "a gift from God" before saying that they share the same beliefs as one another.

Rupert's divorce from model Jerry Hall was finalised less than a year ago (Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

The couple "speak the same language" as her late husband, Chester Smith, also worked in the media industry and was a businessman.

It's believed that the couple will tie the knot later this summer in what will be his fifth ceremony and Lesley Ann's second.

Rupert and his fourth wife, Jerry Hall, 66, tied the knot in 2016 at the church of St Bride's on London's Fleet Street just eight weeks after the pair became engaged.

They went on to have a low-key ceremony at Spencer House, overlooking Green Park following a five-month romance.

It's believed the billionaire will tie the knot for the fifth time later this year (GC Images)

However, their happiness didn't seem to last and just six years later, sources told The New York Times that Jerry and Rupert had decided to file for divorce.

Jerry filed for an official divorce on July 1, 2022, citing irreconcilable differences before their divorce was finally issued in August of the same year.

Meanwhile, Rupert has previously been married to Patricia Booker, journalist Anna Maria Torv and entrepreneur Wendi Deng.

He has six children, Prudence MacLeod with his first wife Patricia, sons Lachlan, James and daughter Elisabeth with Anna Maria as ell as daughters Grace and Chloe with his third wife Wendi.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.