Anna Murdoch Mann, ex-wife of media mogul and prototype for "Succession" character, dies
Anna Murdoch Mann, writer and former wife of Rupert Murdoch, has died at the age of 81, his media company announced.
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Having been married to the media mogul for 31 years, she was, as the New York Post writes, an "active partner" in the creation of News Corp.
"He never made important business decisions without her involvement," writes The Australian, another publication from his media holding.
Murdoch Mann was the mother of three of the media mogul's children: Elisabeth, James, and Lachlan Murdoch, who is now the chairman of Fox Corporation and News Corp.
In 1999, the Murdochs' divorce became one of the most expensive in history – Murdoch-Mann received compensation of $1.7 billion. Just 17 days later, Murdoch married his third wife, Wendi Deng.
In an interview after the divorce, Murdoch-Mann told The Australian Women's Weekly: "I think there will be a lot of grief and difficulty ahead" – referring to the heirs in Murdoch's media empire.
The battle for the media empire inspired the famous TV series "Succession" – and also unfolded in real life in courtrooms.
It concluded last autumn when the family of the 94-year-old media mogul reached an agreement – control over the media empire will be retained by 54-year-old Lachlan Murdoch.
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