Biography
Anna Murdoch, later known as Anna Maria dePeyster, who became widely known as the former wife of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch. She was born Anna Maria Torv on 30 June 1944 in Glasgow, Scotland, and lived a remarkable life that crossed several countries and careers.
Anna Murdoch grew up in a working-class immigrant family. Her father, Jakob Tõrv, later known as Jacob Torv, was an Estonian merchant seaman, while her mother Sylvia Iris Bodfish worked as a shop assistant in a dry-cleaning business. When Anna was still a child, her parents decided to move the family from Scotland to Australia in search of better opportunities. Like many immigrant families at the time, the move was challenging, but it opened new doors for Anna’s future.
The family eventually settled in Blacktown, New South Wales, where her parents tried to run a small business. For a period, they operated a picnic park that attracted local visitors, but the venture eventually failed financially. These early struggles shaped Anna’s personality and work ethic. She learned from a young age that life could change quickly and that independence and determination were important.
Anna was raised in a Roman Catholic household and attended St Patrick’s Catholic School in Blacktown during her early education. Later, because the school did not offer the final years of secondary education, she completed her studies at Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta in New South Wales. During her school years, she developed an interest in writing, literature, and current events.
Her curiosity about the world and her strong communication skills eventually led her toward journalism. Anna entered the media world at a young age, beginning a career that would later connect her with one of the most powerful figures in global media.
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Although she is often remembered because of her marriage to Rupert Murdoch, Anna Murdoch built her own identity as a journalist, writer, and cultural figure. She also became a key influence within the Murdoch family, particularly in shaping the family trust that protects the future of the Murdoch media empire.
Anna Murdoch died on 17 February 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida, United States, at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy connected to journalism, literature, and one of the most powerful media families in the world.
Career
Anna Murdoch’s professional life began early. At just 18 years old, she started working as a journalist in Australia. Her first job was with the Sydney newspaper Daily Mirror, where she worked as a young reporter learning the basics of the profession.
Her time at the Daily Mirror helped her gain valuable experience in reporting and newsroom work. Journalism during the 1960s was a competitive environment, and Anna quickly proved that she had strong writing skills and the ability to communicate complex stories clearly. She later also worked with another major newspaper in Sydney, The Daily Telegraph, where she continued building her career in media.
Through her journalism work, she became familiar with the inner workings of the newspaper industry. This experience later became especially valuable when she became involved in the operations of News Corporation, the media company built by Rupert Murdoch. She eventually served as a director at News Corp, giving her an important role in the organization.
In addition to journalism, Anna Murdoch developed a passion for writing fiction. She began writing novels that explored themes of relationships, family dynamics, and emotional struggles.
Her most well-known novel was “In Her Own Image,” published in 1985. The story focused on two sisters who fall in love with the same man while living on a sheep station near the Murrumbidgee River in Australia. The novel explored complex emotions such as jealousy, loyalty, and identity, and it helped establish Anna as a novelist.
She continued writing and later published additional novels, including “Family Business” (1988) and “Coming to Terms” (1992). These books often drew inspiration from family life, ambition, and personal relationships.
Although she never became as widely known as some bestselling novelists, her books were appreciated for their thoughtful storytelling and emotional depth.
Beyond writing, Anna was also involved in charitable activities and cultural initiatives, particularly those connected to the Catholic Church and educational organizations.
Personal Life
Anna Murdoch’s personal life often attracted international attention because of her marriage to Rupert Murdoch, one of the most powerful media owners in the world.
She married Rupert Murdoch in 1967, at a time when his media empire was expanding rapidly. During their marriage, Anna played a significant role in the Murdoch family’s life and supported many of Rupert’s business and social activities.
The couple had three children together who later became important figures in the Murdoch media empire. Their marriage lasted for more than three decades, making it one of the longest relationships in Murdoch’s personal history.
However, their marriage eventually ended in 1999 after Rupert Murdoch began a relationship with Wendi Deng. The divorce became one of the most widely discussed celebrity divorces at the time.
The financial settlement was enormous. Reports suggested that Anna received a settlement worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Despite being legally entitled to potentially claim half of Murdoch’s fortune under California law, she reportedly chose a smaller settlement instead.
Around the time of the divorce, Anna also helped establish a family trust designed to protect the interests of her children and ensure they would have influence over the future of the Murdoch media empire.
Just six months after her divorce, Anna remarried. In December 1999, she married financier William Mann, who served as CEO of Henry Mann Securities. During this period she was widely known as Anna Murdoch Mann.
The couple lived in The Hamptons in New York, where they purchased a house from philanthropist Yasmin Aga Khan. Their marriage lasted until William Mann’s death in 2017.
Two years later, Anna married again. In April 2019, she married Ashton dePeyster, a real estate investor. After this marriage, she became known as Anna Maria dePeyster.
Another interesting family connection is that she was the aunt of Australian actress Anna Torv, known for her roles in television series such as Fringe.
Cause of Death
Anna Murdoch died on 17 February 2026 at her home in Palm Beach, Florida.
At the time of her death, she was 81 years old. Public reports confirmed her passing, although detailed medical information about the exact cause of death was not widely disclosed.
Her death marked the end of a long life that had included journalism, writing, philanthropy, and a central role within one of the world’s most influential media families.
Friends, family members, and former colleagues remembered her as a thoughtful and intelligent woman who maintained her independence even while living in the shadow of a powerful global media empire.
Age
Anna Murdoch was born on 30 June 1944 and passed away on 17 February 2026.
At the time of her death, she was 81 years old.
Throughout her life, she experienced major historical changes in journalism, media, and global politics. From her early days as a young journalist in Australia to her later years living in the United States, she remained connected to the world of media and publishing.
Family
Anna Murdoch came from a modest family background but later became part of one of the most influential media dynasties in the world.
Her father, Jacob Torv, worked as a merchant seaman before the family moved to Australia. Her mother Sylvia Bodfish helped run the family’s dry-cleaning business. Anna grew up with several siblings, including brothers Jaan Torv and Hans Arvid Torv, and sister Karin Elisabeth.
Her marriage to Rupert Murdoch brought her into the powerful Murdoch family network. Together they had three children:
Elisabeth Murdoch, a television executive and producer.
Lachlan Murdoch, who later became the executive chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation and co-chairman of News Corp.
James Murdoch, a businessman who previously held leadership roles within the Murdoch media companies.
Anna’s influence on the Murdoch family extended beyond motherhood. She helped create a family trust that gave her children voting power over the companies their father built. This trust continues to play a key role in decisions about the future of the Murdoch media empire.
Conclusion
Anna Murdoch’s life was far more complex than the label of “media mogul’s wife.” She was a journalist who started working in newspapers as a teenager, a novelist who explored human relationships through fiction, and a mother who played a major role in shaping the future of one of the world’s most powerful media families.
Her marriage to Rupert Murdoch placed her at the center of global media influence, but she maintained her own identity through writing, philanthropy, and independent thinking.
By the time of her death in 2026, Anna Murdoch had lived through decades of dramatic change in journalism, technology, and media ownership. Her story reflects not only the rise of a powerful family dynasty but also the journey of a woman who navigated fame, wealth, and personal challenges while maintaining her own voice.
FAQs
Who was Anna Murdoch?
Anna Murdoch was a Scottish-born journalist and novelist who became the second wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and later served as a director at News Corporation.
When was Anna Murdoch born?
She was born on 30 June 1944 in Glasgow, Scotland.
How many children did Anna Murdoch have?
She had three children with Rupert Murdoch: Elisabeth Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, and James Murdoch.
What books did Anna Murdoch write?
Her novels include In Her Own Image (1985), Family Business (1988), and Coming to Terms (1992).
When did Anna Murdoch die?
Anna Murdoch died on 17 February 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida, at the age of 81.
Peter Charles is a journalist and writer who covers battery-material recycling, urban mining, and the growing use of microreactors in industry. With 10 years of experience in industrial reporting, he explains new technologies and industry changes in clear, simple terms. He holds both a BSc and an MSc in Electrical Engineering, which gives him the technical knowledge to report accurately and insightfully on these topics.
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