Rupert Murdoch’s mother dies at 103

Elisabeth Murdoch leaves behind 77 direct descendants

Topics: Rupert Murdoch, Elisabeth Murdoch, obituary, Australia,

Rupert Murdoch's mother dies at 103Rupert Murdoch, right, and his son James Murdoch (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, a prominent Australian philanthropist and mother of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, has died at age 103.

News Ltd., the Australian media company headed by her son, confirmed her death late Wednesday.

She died peacefully surrounded by family members in her garden estate outside Melbourne.

She had been hospitalized in September after a bad fall in which she broke her leg.

Rupert Murdoch said in a statement issued on behalf of the family that “We have lost the most wonderful mother but we are all grateful to have had her love and wisdom for so many years.”

She has 77 direct descendants, including 50 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

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