By Trendsetter Tribune 
PALM BEACH, FL — Anna Murdoch-Mann, the acclaimed novelist, philanthropist, and former wife of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, passed away at her home on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. She was 81. Her death was reported on Friday by several news outlets, including the New York Post, marking the end of a life deeply intertwined with the rise of the modern media landscape.
Over her 31-year marriage to Rupert Murdoch, Anna was widely seen not just as a spouse, but as a pivotal figure and board member who helped build the global News Corp empire.
A Legacy of Influence and Succession
Born Anna Maria Torv in Glasgow, Scotland, she was the daughter of an Estonian tailor and a Scottish dry cleaner. Her journey from a young reporter at Sydney’s Daily Mirror to the heights of global media power is a central chapter in the Murdoch family history.
- The Matriarch: She was the mother of Elisabeth, James, and Lachlan Murdoch. Lachlan currently serves as the chairman of News Corp and executive chair of Fox Corporation, a role his mother was instrumental in securing through the family’s “irrevocable” trust.
- The “Succession” Prophecy: In a famous 2001 interview with Australian Women’s Weekly, she broke her silence on the “heartbreak and hardship” she feared a succession battle would cause her children.
- Literary Career: Anna was a successful author in her own right, publishing novels such as In Her Own Image, Family Business, and Coming to Terms, which often mirrored the complexities of power and high-society family dynamics.
The “Most Expensive” Divorce and Beyond
Her 1999 divorce from Rupert Murdoch remains one of the most high-profile settlements in history, totaling a reported $1.7 billion. The split followed Rupert’s relationship with Wendi Deng, whom he married just 17 days after the divorce was finalized.
Despite the public nature of the separation, Anna was praised for her “dignified silence” and her commitment to her children’s future within the company.
| Marriage | Spouse | Duration |
| First | Rupert Murdoch | 1967–1999 |
| Second | William Mann | 1999–2017 (his death) |
| Third | Ashton dePeyster | 2019–2026 |
Tributes and Final Years
In her later years, Anna (then known as Anna Maria dePeyster) resided in Palm Beach, where she was active in various philanthropic circles. Tributes have poured in from the media world, with many citing her “formidable intellect” and her role as the “calming force” during the rapid expansion of News Corp in the 1980s and 90s.
She is survived by her three children, several grandchildren, and her husband, Ashton dePeyster. She was also the aunt of the Australian actress Anna Torv.