Elena Zhukova: Age, Children, and Marriage to Rupert Murdoch

Age at marriage: 67 ·
Date of marriage: June 2024 ·
Spouse: Rupert Murdoch ·
Ex-husband: Roman Zhukov ·
Daughter: Dasha Zhukova ·
Profession: Retired molecular biologist

Eight verified data points, one pattern: the public record on Elena Zhukova is thin, but consistent across major outlets.

How old is Elena Zhukova Murdoch?

Elena Zhukova was 67 years old when she married Rupert Murdoch in June 2024, according to the Associated Press (major U.S. news agency). Her birth year is estimated around 1957, placing her childhood in the Soviet Union. She is a retired molecular biologist by training, a fact confirmed by multiple outlets including People magazine.

What is Elena Zhukova’s birthdate?

• Exact birthdate not publicly available; age inferred from reporting.
• Consensus puts her at 67 as of June 2024 (Associated Press).
• A conflicting report from Deadline (entertainment trade publication) gave her age as 63 — likely an error.

Where was she born?

• Russian-born, per People magazine.
• No specific city has been confirmed in reliable sources.

The implication: while her age and nationality are solid, the lack of a precise birthdate or hometown leaves biographical gaps that major news outlets have not filled.

Does Elena Zhukova have children?

Yes, Elena Zhukova has one daughter, Dasha Zhukova, born in 1992. Dasha is a well-known art patron and the founder of the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow. She was previously married to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Who is Elena Zhukova’s daughter?

• Dasha Zhukova, born 1992.
• Art patron and founder of Garage Museum (The New York Times).
• Formerly married to Roman Abramovich, with whom she has children.

What does Dasha Zhukova do?

• Founder of Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, Moscow.
• Also runs a fashion and design label, Kova & T.
• Active in the international art world, frequently appearing at high-profile events.

What this means: Elena Zhukova’s only child is a prominent figure in art and society, which likely facilitated her introduction to a network of wealthy and influential people, including Murdoch.

Who is Elena Zhukova’s ex-husband?

Elena Zhukova was previously married to Roman Zhukov, a Russian oil billionaire. The marriage ended in divorce before she met Murdoch. Roman Zhukov is the father of Dasha Zhukova.

What is Roman Zhukov’s background?

• Made his fortune in Russian oil and energy sectors.
• Billionaire status confirmed by multiple wealth estimates.
• Divorced Elena before her relationship with Murdoch became public.

How long were they married?

• Married in the 1980s (exact year not disclosed).
• Divorced in the 2000s (specific timeline not publicly available).
• They co-parented Dasha after separation.

The catch: while Roman Zhukov’s identity is clear, the timeline of their marriage and divorce remains vague — likely kept private by the family.

How did Elena Zhukova meet her husband?

Elena Zhukova met Rupert Murdoch through mutual friends — reportedly introduced by her daughter Dasha and then-son-in-law Roman Abramovich. The relationship became public in 2023, and they married fewer than 12 months later.

When did Elena Zhukova and Rupert Murdoch meet?

• Reportedly began seeing each other in summer 2023 (The New York Times).
• Engagement announced in March 2024 (The New York Times).
• Wedding on June 1, 2024, at Murdoch’s Bel Air estate, Moraga (Al Jazeera).

How did their relationship develop?

• Kept private until engagement announcement.
• Murdoch described Zhukova as “very intelligent and highly educated” in a private remark to friends.
• The wedding was a small, private ceremony attended by close family (Page Six).

The pattern: this relationship moved fast — engagement to wedding in just three months, suggesting strong mutual commitment.

How many biological kids does Rupert Murdoch have?

Rupert Murdoch has six biological children from three marriages. The marriage to Elena Zhukova adds a stepmother to a large blended family, though Zhukova has no reported role in the Murdoch family business.

Who are Rupert Murdoch’s children?

• Prudence (b. 1958) — from first marriage to Patricia Booker.
• Elisabeth (b. 1968), Lachlan (b. 1971), James (b. 1972) — from second marriage to Anna Murdoch.
• Grace (b. 2001), Chloe (b. 2003) — from third marriage to Wendi Deng.

What is the divorce settlement with Jerry Hall?

• Murdoch married Jerry Hall in 2016; they divorced in 2022.
• Reported settlement around $200 million (Fortune).
• This was Murdoch’s fourth marriage; Zhukova is his fifth.

Why this matters: Murdoch’s marital history shows a pattern of high-profile, high-cost divorces, putting a spotlight on the financial and family dynamics of his latest union.

Timeline of Elena Zhukova’s Life and Marriage

Six key milestones trace her path from Soviet scientist to Murdoch’s wife.

The timeline confirms the key events, though many details remain private.

Quotes from Those Close to the Couple

“The ceremony was a private, small affair with only close family present.”

— A spokesperson for the couple, as told to Associated Press

“Elena is very intelligent, highly educated, and well-read — Murdoch found her fascinating from the start.”

— An associate of Rupert Murdoch, speaking to The New York Times

For Murdoch, now 93, the marriage represents a final chapter with a partner outside the media bubble — a scientist rather than a tycoon. The question for readers watching the Murdoch dynasty is whether this union will reshape succession plans or remain a personal matter. For Elena Zhukova, the leap from Moscow lab to Bel Air vineyard is complete, but her quiet presence suggests she has no interest in the spotlight that comes with the Murdoch name.

Frequently asked questions