Early Word

Murdoch Family Impasse

Deadlock likely over who runs News Corp.

A new biography of Rupert Murdoch by Vanity Fair’s Michael Wolff says the Fox tycoon’s will does not provide a way for the four children from his first two marriages to make a clear decision about who should run the company if they are split two and two. Wolff also suggests that Murdoch still hopes to provide the daughters from his third marriage with shares equal to those of his first four children, contrary to a deal he made with his second wife, Anna, and his elder children. A Murdoch family “friend” confirmed the story to the Financial Times, saying, ““This is not a family that believes it needs legal deadlock provisions. They have always been very happy to rely on old-fashioned talking, arguing, shouting, threatening and ultimately compromise to reach consensus.”