Introducing Rupert: The last mogul

00:03
Speaker 1
I've thought a lot about what makes Rupert Murdoch so fascinating. How he draws people in, not just journalists like me, but some of society's most powerful and influential figures. Try as we might, we can't look away. I want to tell you about one of the last times Rupert Murdoch appeared in public. It was at his invitation only garden party, which he throws every year at the height of London's summer. It's a rare opportunity to capture a glimpse of Rupert in his natural environment, commanding wealth, prestige and power.

00:37
Speaker 2
So you just have to imagine as a fractal of a whole universe going around this gentleman and sitting next to him. A little bit like the wedding scene in the Godfather. Paying a baecence, listening very carefully, having a few words, saying hello and then moving on.

00:56
Speaker 1
Claire Enders, a London based media consultant, got a surprise when an invite turned up on her doorstep. The party was the very next day. How is he? How did he look?

01:07
Speaker 2
He was enjoying every single second of it.

01:10
Speaker 1
Rupert's handpicked list of guests were ushered one by one into the main room to pay their respects. Guests stood around making small talk while they waited for one of his staff to tap them on the shoulder. Once tapped, they had 5 minutes before Rupert. Claire perched herself on the balcony and looked down at who was getting picked.

01:32
Speaker 2
Rishi Sunak, Sir Kirstarmer, many business leaders. I wasn't surprised to see a stream of senior Labour politicians and a stream of senior conservative politicians, people like Nadine Dory's or Liz Truss, who were basically trying to curry favour.

01:53
Speaker 1
Claire also saw Rupert's family working the room. His daughter Elizabeth and his eldest son Lachlan. Noticeably absent was James, his youngest son. Seemingly estranged from the Murdoch media empire.

02:07
Speaker 2
James was most definitely not there.

02:10
Speaker 1
Fast forward three months. Rupert suddenly retired after decades of speculation as to who would succeed him. Rupert finally named Lachlan as his heir.

02:22
Speaker 3
Breaking news this morning. A new line of succession at Fox News.

02:26
Speaker 4
Rupert Murdoch, down as chair of Fox and News corps. After a seven decade career, 92 year.

02:33
Speaker 3
Old will hand over the reins to his son, Lachlan Murdoch.

02:39
Speaker 1
Rupert used to joke that he would never retire. And if it came down to it, he was reluctant to admit he was even going to die. Thinking back to that party, I'm certain Rupert knew that this could be the last time that politicians would line up to see him, and him alone. I'm Patty Manning. I've spent most of my career investigating and reporting on powerful people. No one is more fascinating or more divisive than the man who built the world's first global media empire. Rupert Murdoch, what is it that actually.

03:13
Speaker 5
Attracts you to newspapers? I love them. Yes, I enjoy them. But why? It's communicating with people. It's a challenge. It's competitive. There's many elements in it that I find most stimulating.

03:28
Speaker 1
Rupert Murdoch has been the best story in media for more than half a century. To his critics, like President Biden, he's the most dangerous man in the world, a malignant figure who undermines democracy. To his loyal supporters, he's a business genius, a visionary who wrote the rulebook on populist media. For me, Rupert Murdoch's media empire has been an immovable object on the other side of almost every debate I care about. But the truth is, I don't hate him. I'm in awe of him. And as an Australian, I can't help but feel a curious pride at the man who outmaneuvered the smartest people in the room. From Canberra to London to Washington.

04:20
Speaker 5
The legacy you leave, which is still in the making. What do you want it to be? Oh, I'd like to be remembered, if I am at all, as someone who is a catalyst for change, for the good, in at least a few areas in the world.

04:38
Speaker 1
In my new six part podcast series, I'm looking back on the life and legacy of Rupert Murdoch. His breakthrough, from small time newspaper man to global media mogul.

04:49
Speaker 6
Play with Rupert too long, you're going to get chopped anyway. Everybody gets chopped. That was Rupert. He had to win.

04:55
Speaker 5
It showed how ruthless Rupert was. But not just ruthless, how brilliantly organised.

05:01
Speaker 1
I'll explore what drives him, how he left his mark on media and democracies around the world.

05:07
Speaker 2
He has an absolute Trumpian desire to be the center of attention. It may be what binds them the closest.

05:16
Speaker 3
Rupert Murdoch is totally responsible for Fox News and how it's damaged the United States.

05:24
Speaker 1
And, as Lachlan claims, his father's crown. I'll find out what's next for the Murdoch media.

05:30
Speaker 4
I mean, I think Rupert's more interested in power for its own sake. Lachlan, I'm sure, enjoys that as well, but also has more of a right wing agenda.

05:41
Speaker 1
From Schwartz Media. And 07:00 a.m. This is Rupert, the last mogul. New episodes weekly from November 1.