Who Is Elena Zhukova? Biologist Married To Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch

Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch got married for the fifth time on June 1 to a Russian-American retired molecular biologist Elena Zhukova. The couple with about a 30-year age gap had been dating for a year and tied the knot at his Moraga vineyard estate in Bel Air, Los Angeles. The 93-year-old reportedly met Zhukova through his third wife, entrepreneur Wendi Deng, from whom he got divorced after 14 years of marriage in 2013.

Murdoch was rumoured to be dating the 67-year-old scientist soon after his engagement to ex-police chaplain Ann Lesley Smith was abruptly called off in April 2023. Last year, the Australian-born media mogul retired from the boards of Fox and News Corporation, concluding a seven-decade career.

Who Is Elena Zhukova?

Elena Zhukova is a 67-year-old molecular biologist, specialising in diabetes research, and has extensively contributed to research and work at the University of California, Los Angeles. Originally a Russian, she moved to the United States in 1991 during the final years of the Soviet Union, according to reports.

Zhukova met Murdoch at a family gathering organised by his ex-wife Wendi Deng. She was previously married twice, once to Russian oil billionaire, Alexander Zhukov. They have a daughter together, Dasha, who is an arts patron and previously married to the Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich.

The Moscow-origin scientist describes her family background as part of the "usual, normal Moscow intelligentsia," highlighting her roots and connection to the cultural milieu of the city. In her wedding pictures with Murdoch, she can be seen in a long-sleeve gown and pencil heals, with her hair in a loose bun. 

93岁媒体大亨默多克（Rupert Murdoch）6月1日“梅开五度”，与67岁退休分子生物学家朱可娃（Elena Zhukova）结连理步上红毯。#平论 相比一手打造新闻集团媒体帝国，我更佩服他在93岁高龄依然有勇气迈入第五次婚姻。

祝福默多克和新婚妻子Elena。 pic.twitter.com/kqEftlDzrP

— Weiping Qin 秦偉平 (@WeipingQin) June 2, 2024

Rupert Murdoch's Fifth Wife

Elena Zhukova is Murdoch's fifth wife, as per his spokesperson. He was first married for 11 years (1956-1967) to Patricia Booker, from whom he got divorced as the marriage did not work out. They have one child. In the same year, he married Anna Maria Torv, with whom he had three children and divorced in 1999.

Again, in the same year, he married Wendi Deng but divorced in 2013. They also have two children together. His fourth marriage was with actress and model Jerry Hall, ending in divorce in 2022 after six years. According to a report in The Guardian, he ended his marriage with the 67-year-old over email.