Anna de Peyster, Former Wife of Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch, Passes Away at 81
Anna de Peyster, the ex-wife of global media magnate Rupert Murdoch, has died at the age of 81. She passed away on February 17 at her home in Palm Beach, Florida, following a prolonged illness, as reported by The New York Post and The Wall Street Journal, two publications owned by her former husband.
A Life Intertwined with Media Power
De Peyster, a mother of three, was married to Murdoch from 1967 to 1999, a period during which he built his vast media empire, including outlets like Fox, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Post. Born in Scotland and raised largely in Australia, she met Murdoch in 1967 while working as a journalist for the Daily Mail in Sydney, where she was assigned to interview him as the paper's publisher.
Their marriage lasted over three decades, and they lived in various global locations, including Australia, London, New York, and Los Angeles. In 1969, just two years into their union, the family became embroiled in a kidnapping plot in London. Kidnappers mistakenly abducted and killed Muriel McKay, the wife of one of Murdoch's executives, instead of de Peyster, as detailed by The Wall Street Journal.
Academic Pursuits and Literary Achievements
While residing in New York in the late 1970s, de Peyster pursued higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in English from Fordham University and a master's in literature and mythology from New York University. She famously told the Chicago Tribune that she attended classes in evening wear under her Burberry coat, with diamonds in her pocket, ready for social events afterward.
As an author, she achieved her goal of being published by age 40, writing three novels: In Her Own Image and Family Business, among others. Her literary work reflected her deep engagement with storytelling and mythology.
Philanthropy and Board Roles
De Peyster was also a dedicated philanthropist, raising millions for children's causes. She worked with the Children's Institution in Los Angeles in the 1990s, an organization aiding 5,000 abused children annually. Later, she served as chair of the board of regents at LA Children's Hospital and chaired a hospital in Haiti. She stepped down from these roles after being diagnosed with cancer.
From 1990 to 1998, she served on the board of News Corp, the media conglomerate founded by Murdoch. She filed for divorce shortly after this tenure, and their divorce was finalized in 1999. Murdoch has since married three more times, most recently to Elena Zhukova in 2024.
Later Life and Legacy
After her divorce from Murdoch, de Peyster became a prominent figure in Southampton, New York, and Palm Beach, Florida. She remarried twice: first to Bill Mann, with whom she stayed until his death in 2017, and then to Ashton de Peyster in 2019, who survives her along with her three children.
Her children include Lachlan Murdoch, announced as the head of News Corp in 2023, and his siblings James and Elisabeth. In a statement reported by The Wall Street Journal, her husband Ashton de Peyster said, 'She was the most fabulous person and wife.'
Anna de Peyster's life was marked by her resilience, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to charitable work, leaving a lasting impact beyond her association with one of the world's most influential media families.
