Author and philanthropist Anna Murdoch-Mann has passed away at the age of 81, as reported by News Corp mastheads. She died on Tuesday, surrounded by family at her Palm Beach home in Florida, according to the New York Post.
The Scottish-born journalist was married to media mogul Rupert Murdoch for 31 years, playing an integral role as his “active partner” in the development of the News Corp empire. Born Anna Torv in 1944 in Glasgow, Scotland, she emigrated with her family to Australia at the age of nine.
Early Life and Career
Anna’s early life in Australia was marked by challenges. Her parents initially established a picnic park outside Sydney, which eventually failed, prompting a move to a high-rise in the city’s outer-west. Not long after, her mother left the family.
“She didn’t mean to hurt anybody,” Murdoch-Mann later reflected. “I think she was rather a lost soul.”
Taking on the responsibility of raising her younger siblings, Anna embarked on a journalism career, joining the Murdoch-owned Sydney Daily Mirror. Her talents quickly shone through, and she became the editor of the cadet newspaper, setting her sights on interviewing her boss, Rupert Murdoch.
Murdoch recalled his first impressions of Anna, noting, “I thought she was a very pretty girl. Her writing skills were not going through my mind.” Anna, on the other hand, was captivated by Murdoch’s charisma, describing him as “a whirlwind coming into the room.”
A Partnership in Business and Life
The couple married and had three children: Elisabeth, James, and Lachlan, who is now the chair of News Corp. Their marriage ended in 1998 following Murdoch’s affair with Wendi Deng, whom he later married.
In an interview with the Australian Women’s Weekly, Anna spoke candidly about the marriage she tried to preserve, describing Murdoch as “extremely hard, ruthless and determined he was going to go through with this.” Despite reports of an “amicable” separation, Anna revealed she was forced off the News Corp board.
“I wasn’t given a choice. I was told … ‘you get off the board’,” she said.
On the day she resigned, she had lunch with Wall Street financier William Mann, leading to a new chapter in her life. They married in 1999, the same year she finalized her divorce from Murdoch.
Life After Murdoch
Following her divorce, Anna chose a relatively modest settlement of $200 million, half in cash and the rest in property. Under California law, she could have claimed half of Murdoch’s wealth but instead prioritized her children’s future in the business.
The family reached a pivotal agreement last year, solidifying Lachlan’s leadership of the media empire and resolving succession questions that had inspired the television series “Succession.”
Anna was also a published author, with three novels to her name: “In Her Own Image” (1985), “Family Business” (1988), and “Coming To Terms” (1992). Her philanthropic efforts were significant, particularly in children’s causes, serving as chair of both the LA Children’s Hospital and Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti.
Legacy and Final Years
In recognition of her contributions, Anna was made a Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II in 1998. She remained married to William Mann until his death in 2017 and later married Ashton dePeyster in 2019.
Anna Murdoch-Mann leaves behind a legacy of resilience and dedication. She is survived by her husband Ashton dePeyster, her three children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She was also the aunt of Australian actor Anna Torv.
The ABC has reached out to family representatives for further comments.
