Alex Murdaugh and Rupert Murdoch are two names that have been in the news for different reasons. Alex Murdaugh is a prominent lawyer from South Carolina who was involved in a series of scandals, including the murder of his wife and son, a botched suicide attempt, and allegations of embezzlement and drug addiction. Rupert Murdoch is a media mogul who owns News Corp, the parent company of Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, The Times of London, and other outlets.
But are these two men related by blood or by marriage? And if so, how? This article will explore the facts and myths behind this question and reveal the truth about their relationship.
The Murdaugh Family
Alex Murdaugh belongs to a powerful family of lawyers and politicians in South Carolina. His great-grandfather, grandfather, and father all served as the solicitor (or chief prosecutor) of the 14th Circuit, which covers five counties in the state. His family also founded a prestigious law firm, Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick (PMPED), in 1910.
Alex Murdaugh joined PMPED as a partner in 1994 and specialized in personal injury cases. He was known as a successful and respected attorney who won millions of dollars for his clients. He was married to Maggie Murdaugh, a former teacher, and they had two sons, Paul and Buster.
However, Alex Murdaugh’s life took a tragic turn on June 7, 2021, when he found his wife and son shot dead at their hunting lodge in Islandton, South Carolina. The murders remain unsolved and have sparked a wave of investigations into the Murdaugh family’s affairs.
Since then, Alex Murdaugh has faced a series of shocking revelations and accusations. He admitted to having a long-term opioid addiction and stealing millions of dollars from his law firm and his clients. He resigned from PMPED and was suspended from practicing law. He also confessed to hiring a former client to shoot him in the head on September 4, 2021, in an apparent suicide-for-insurance scheme. He survived the gunshot wound and checked into a rehab facility.
Alex Murdaugh has also been linked to other unsolved cases in the area, such as the 2015 hit-and-run death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old gay man who was rumored to have had a relationship with Buster Murdaugh; and the 2018 boating accident that killed Mallory Beach, a 19-year-old woman who was riding in a boat driven by Paul Murdaugh. Paul Murdaugh was facing three felony charges of boating under the influence at the time of his death.
Alex Murdaugh’s legal troubles have tarnished his family’s reputation and exposed their dark secrets. He is currently facing multiple lawsuits, criminal charges, and investigations by state and federal authorities.
The Murdoch Family
Rupert Murdoch is the founder and executive chairman of News Corp, one of the largest media conglomerates in the world. He is also the co-chairman of Fox Corporation, which owns Fox News, Fox Sports, Fox Entertainment, and other assets.
Rupert Murdoch was born in Australia in 1931 and inherited a newspaper business from his father in 1952. He expanded his empire by acquiring newspapers, magazines, television stations, film studios, and online platforms in Australia, Britain, America, and other countries. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1985.
Rupert Murdoch is known for his conservative political views and his influence on public opinion and policy. He has supported various politicians and parties across the globe, such as Margaret Thatcher in Britain, Ronald Reagan in America, Narendra Modi in India, and Donald Trump in America. He has also faced criticism and controversy for his involvement in scandals such as phone hacking, bribery, sexual harassment, fake news, and antitrust violations.
Rupert Murdoch has been married four times and has six children: Prudence (from his first marriage to Patricia Booker), Elisabeth (from his second marriage to Anna Torv), Lachlan (from his second marriage to Anna Torv), James (from his second marriage to Anna Torv), Grace (from his third marriage to Wendi Deng), and Chloe (from his third marriage to Wendi Deng). He is currently married to Jerry Hall, a former model and actress.
Rupert Murdoch’s children have played various roles in his media empire. Prudence is a director of Times Newspapers Holdings; Elisabeth is the founder of Shine Group, a television production company that was acquired by News Corp; Lachlan is the co-chairman of News Corp and the executive chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation; James is the former CEO of 21st Century Fox and the former chairman of Sky plc; Grace and Chloe are the beneficiaries of a trust that holds voting shares in News Corp and Fox Corporation.
Rupert Murdoch’s succession plan has been a subject of speculation and intrigue for years. He has reportedly favored Lachlan over James as his heir, but both sons have had their disagreements and departures from their father’s business and vision. James, in particular, has distanced himself from the conservative politics and climate change denialism of his father’s outlets. He resigned from the board of News Corp in 2020, citing “disagreements over certain editorial content.” He has also donated to Democratic candidates and causes in the U.S. and launched his own investment firm, Lupa Systems, which focuses on media, technology, and sustainability.
The Verdict
Despite the similar-sounding surnames, it is important to note that there is no known direct familial link between Alex Murdaugh and Rupert Murdoch. While both individuals have made headlines in their respective fields, their paths have unfolded in different realms, leaving their connections purely speculative.
According to Fresherslive, “There has been a lingering curiosity about the potential connection between Alex Murdaugh and Rupert Murdoch, and whether these two individuals share a familial relationship. However, there is no evidence to suggest that they are related in any way.”
The confusion may stem from the fact that both surnames have Scottish origins and are derived from the Gaelic word “Murchadh,” which means “sea warrior.” However, this does not imply that they share a common ancestor or a close kinship.
Therefore, the answer to the question “Is Alex Murdaugh related to Rupert Murdaugh?” is a resounding no. They are two separate men with two separate stories.
