Rupert Murdoch’s second wife, Anna de Peyster, dies
The ex-wife of media giant Rupert Murdoch and the mother of his children James, Elisabeth and Lachlan has died at the age of 81.
According to the news in the New York Post, owned by Murdoch, Anne de Peyster, formerly known as Anna Murdoch, died in Palm Beach, Florida, after a long illness.
In its report on her death, the newspaper wrote that “many worlds loved Anna.”
“Dedicated mother, handsome woman, sharp mind, love of writing and lifelong devotion to helping children in need.”
Ms De Peyster married property developer Ashton de Peyster in 2019 after divorcing Rupert Murdoch two decades ago.
Born in Scotland in 1944, the eldest of four children, Ms de Peyster moved to Sydney with her family as a child.
Raised a Catholic, he attended Our Lady of Mercy College in Parramatta before finding work as a journalist.
He and Mr. Murdoch married in 1967 after his divorce from his first wife, Patricia Booker.
After working at Sydney’s Daily Mirror and Daily Telegraph, Ms de Peyster served for eight years on the board of Murdoch family company News Corporation.
According to a Wikipedia page citing Britain’s Independent newspaper, the people who kidnapped and killed Muriel McKay, the wife of Mr. Murdoch’s aide Alick McKay, in 1969 actually intended to kidnap her.
Confusion arose when the McKays used one of Murdoch’s vehicles.
After her divorce from Mr. Murdoch, Ms. de Peyster reportedly received $1.7 billion from the settlement, including $110 million in cash.
Ms. de Peyster has a master’s degree in literature and has written three novels: In Its Own Image, Family Business and Coming to Agreement.
She was also a well-known philanthropist and socialite in Palm Beach and Southampton.
Mrs. de Peyster was also married to financier William Mann for 17 years.
He is survived by Mr de Peyster, his three children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He died surrounded by his family on Tuesday, according to the New York Post.
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