Anna Murdoch Mann Net Worth

What was Anna Murdoch Mann's net worth?

Anna Murdoch Mann, also known as Anna dePeyster, was a Scottish journalist and novelist who had a net worth of $1.5 billion at the time of her death. Anna died on February 17, 2026, at the age of 81.

Anna dePeyster was best known for her high-profile marriage to media magnate Rupert Murdoch and her influential role in international media and social circles during the late 20th century. Anna and Rupert were married from 1966 to 1999. She received a $1.7 billion divorce settlement from the tycoon. Anna is the mother of James, Elisabeth, and Lachlan Murdoch. Through her brother Hans Torv, Anna's niece is actress Anna Torv.

Not only did she become a household name as Murdoch's spouse, but her own accomplishments in journalism, publishing, and philanthropy have set her apart as a formidable personality in her own right. Her life in the limelight was marked by the interplay of power, glamour, and controversy—a blend that both captivated and polarized public opinion. With a reputation for elegance, sharp wit, and an innate sense of style, Anna became a symbol of sophisticated media influence. The turbulent conclusion of her marriage to Rupert Murdoch, culminating in a widely publicized divorce settlement, further underscored her prominence and resilience. Even after stepping away from the role of a high-profile spouse, Anna has continued to shape cultural conversations and remains an enduring figure in the world of media and high society.

Early Life and Career

Anna was born Anna Torv in Glasgow, Scotland, and was raised in a Catholic family. She moved to Australia at age nine after her parents separated, and by many accounts took on significant responsibility helping raise her younger siblings.

She began her career as a journalist in Sydney, working for the "Daily Telegraph" and the "Daily Mirror." It was during this period that she met Rupert Murdoch, whose family controlled the newspapers. Intelligent and ambitious, Anna quickly became immersed in the world of publishing and media strategy.

Although she would later be known primarily as Murdoch's wife, she maintained her own literary ambitions. During her marriage, she wrote several novels and remained engaged in editorial and publishing discussions within the company. Observers frequently noted that Rupert Murdoch rarely made major decisions without seeking her counsel.

Marriage to Rupert Murdoch

Anna and Rupert Murdoch married in 1966 and soon relocated to London as his media empire expanded into the United Kingdom and later the United States. As News Corporation grew into a global powerhouse, Anna became a prominent presence in international society and corporate life.

She served on the board of News Corp and was viewed as a stabilizing and thoughtful influence during a period of aggressive acquisitions and expansion. Friends and colleagues often described the marriage as a partnership of intellect as well as ambition.

Their years in Britain were not without drama. In 1969, a woman named Muriel McKay was abducted in a case of mistaken identity after kidnappers believed she was Anna Murdoch. McKay was later killed, and the crime remained one of the most notorious ransom cases in British history. The tragedy underscored the intense public scrutiny and risks that came with proximity to immense wealth and power.

(Photo by Ken Faught/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Rupert Murdoch Divorce Settlement

The dissolution of the marriage between Anna and Rupert in 1999 was as dramatic as it was headline-making. The divorce marked the end of an era in which Anna had been a central figure in one of the world's most powerful media dynasties.

Anna would later claim that she could have sought tens of billions of dollars from her ex-husband in addition to claiming ownership of half their roughly 10 homes around the world. Instead she accepted a $1.7 billion divorce settlement, roughly $200 million of which was cash.

Rupert remarried 17 days after the divorce. Anna remarried six months later.

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Later Marriages and Philanthropy

Just months after the divorce was finalized, Rupert Murdoch married Wendi Deng, who was 38 years his junior, a move that reportedly deeply hurt Anna.

In 1999, Anna married financier William Mann. The couple remained together until Mann's death in 2017. In 2019, she married Ashton dePeyster, who survives her. She is also survived by her three children, 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

After her divorce, Anna increasingly devoted her time to philanthropy and cultural initiatives. She served on the boards of several children's hospitals, including institutions in Los Angeles and Haiti. Her charitable focus often centered on healthcare, education, and faith-based initiatives.

In 1998, Pope John Paul II named her a Dame of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, recognizing her service to the Catholic Church and charitable causes. The honor reflected her lifelong religious commitment and international philanthropic engagement.

In later interviews, she spoke candidly about the emotional strain placed on her children amid public battles over succession within the Murdoch empire. Years before the fictional series "Succession" dramatized media dynasty infighting, Anna warned of the "heartbreak and hardship" that might accompany such power struggles.

Legacy

Anna Murdoch Mann's legacy extends beyond her role as the former wife of one of the most powerful media figures of the modern era. She was a journalist who began her career in Australian newsrooms, a novelist who explored themes of power and family, a corporate board member during a transformative era in global media, and a philanthropist committed to healthcare and religious service.

Her 1999 divorce settlement remains one of the largest in history, but her life cannot be reduced to a financial figure. She occupied a rare position at the intersection of media power, religion, wealth, and high society across three continents.

At the time of her death in February 2026, she left behind not only a substantial fortune but a complex legacy shaped by intellect, loyalty, resilience, and independence.

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