Rupert Murdoch won’t get married any time soon. Murdoch, 92, and Ann Lesley Smith, 66, an ex-dental hygienist converted conservative radio host, reportedly suddenly called off their engagement, based on sources close to Murdoch. Less than a year following Murdoch finalizing his separation from his 4th wife, model-actor Jerry Hall, Murdoch, and Smith allegedly planned to wed this summer. Murdoch had reportedly grown increasingly uncomfortable with Smith’s outspoken evangelical beliefs.
Rupert Murdoch Called Off His Engagement
The breakup brings to an end a brief romance that made international news. Murdoch along with Smith was first seen taking a holiday in Barbados in January. The pictures show Smith pulling Murdoch out of the water while he is without a shirt. According to a February article in Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal, the 6,500 square foot, $30 million co-op on Central Park South that Murdoch planned to purchase could have served as his and Smith’s New York home. The New York Post published Murdoch’s announcement of his engagement in March. He admitted that he was anxious and feared falling in love but that this would be his final relationship.
Rupert Murdoch’s Family
Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James, Murdoch’s children from his 2nd marriage to Anna, were allegedly glad Ann Lesley didn’t have any children of her own because that would have exacerbated the already difficult succession dispute over future generations of the Murdoch empire. Just over a month after his separation from Anna, Murdoch’s 3rd wedding to Wendi Deng in 1999 set off a rebellion among his children who opposed giving Chloe and Grace Murdoch and Deng’s daughters voting rights on the family trust which runs the media business.
Rupert Murdoch’s Fiance: Ann Lesley Smith
But once the media started looking into Smith’s shoddy biography, less flattering stories started to appear. Her early years are largely unknown. Smith tied the knot with John B. Huntington in her 20s; he was a rich railway family from California. When Huntington developed into a violent alcoholic, they got separated. According to her, She attempted suicide before encountering Jesus in a coffee store and going on to start a street ministry in Marin County, California. Later, she wed radio magnate and singer of country music Chester Smith. But after Smith passed away in 2008, Ann Lesley and her stepdaughters got into a nasty legal dispute over Smith’s enormous wealth. Her stepdaughter once charged Ann Lesley with “financial elder abuse” in court papers. In 2010, the lawsuit was resolved, and Ann Lesley made no admissions of guilt.
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