Anna Maria dePeyster DSG (née Torv; formerly Murdoch and Mann; June 30, 1944 – February 17, 2026) was a British-Australian reporter, author, and philanthropist. She gained prominence as Rupert Murdoch’s second spouse and held a director position at News Corporation for numerous years, contributing significantly to the family’s media enterprise. Anna authored three novels and championed Catholic education and charitable causes.
Following her highly publicized divorce from Murdoch in 1999, she married twice more and centered her attention on her family, opting for a more private life. She passed away in February 2026 at the age of 81, signaling the conclusion of a meaningful period for the Murdoch family. Her legacy persists through her children’s engagement with News Corp and Fox, alongside ongoing family trust disputes.
Biography Update
Anna Maria Torv entered the world on June 30, 1944, in Glasgow, Scotland. Her father, Jakob Tõrv (later recognized as Jacob Torv), was an Estonian merchant sailor who evaded Soviet domination during World War II. Her mother, Sylvia Iris Bodfish, served as an assistant at a dry-cleaning establishment. The family operated a dry-cleaning business in Glasgow prior to relocating to Australia, where they established a picnic park in Blacktown, but the venture ultimately failed. Subsequently, Anna’s mother departed from the family. She had two brothers, Jaan and Hans Arvid, and a sister, Karin Elisabeth. Raised in the Catholic faith, she attended Our Lady of Mercy College in Parramatta, New South Wales.
Anna embarked on her journalism journey at 18 with Sydney’s Daily Mirror and subsequently worked at the Daily Telegraph. She encountered Rupert Murdoch while conducting an interview for a piece, and they wed in 1967 when she was 23 and he was 36. Anna became a stepmother to Prudence, Rupert’s daughter from his initial marriage, and had three children of her own: Elisabeth (born 1968), Lachlan (born 1971), and James (born 1972). She participated on the News Corp board and had a voice in family decisions.
Anna published three novels under the name Anna Murdoch: In Her Own Image (1985), Family Business (1988), and Coming to Terms (1992). Her writings centered around familial bonds, love, and life in Australia. In 1998, Pope John Paul II bestowed upon her the title of Dame of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (DSG) in recognition of her advocacy for Catholic education in Los Angeles. Rupert was also knighted.
Her marriage to Rupert concluded with a divorce on June 8, 1999, due to his liaison with Wendi Deng. Anna reportedly received a settlement of approximately US$200 million (half in cash, half in property), though some estimates suggested $1.7 billion, including assets. She played a vital role in establishing a family trust to safeguard her children’s interests and guarantee equal voting rights for all four siblings (including Prudence) in News Corp and later Fox Corporation shares (valued at around US$6 billion in recent assessments).
Anna wed financier William Mann in December 1999, residing in The Hamptons, New York. After Mann passed away in August 2017, she married Ashton dePeyster in April 2019, becoming Anna Maria dePeyster. She was also the aunt of Australian actress Anna Torv, the daughter of her brother Hans Torv. In her later years, Anna led a quiet life in Palm Beach, Florida, supporting charities and spending time with her family.
Cause of Death
Anna dePeyster passed away on February 17, 2026, at her residence in Palm Beach, Florida, at the age of 81. Her family announced her passing privately, without revealing a public cause in initial statements. Reports from close friends and media sources in February 2026 indicated that the cause was natural, attributed to age and a health decline over recent years. She had embraced a low-profile lifestyle since her third marriage, focusing on family and philanthropy. Tributes from News Corp associates and Catholic organizations celebrated her generosity and quiet fortitude. Funeral services were conducted privately.
Children
Anna had three biological children with Rupert Murdoch:
- Elisabeth Murdoch (born August 22, 1968) – Founder of Shine Group (sold to Endemol), active in media production and philanthropy.
- Lachlan Murdoch (born September 8, 1971) – Executive Chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation and co-chairman of News Corp; prominent in current family business leadership.
- James Murdoch (born December 13, 1972) – Former CEO of 21st Century Fox (resigned 2020); involved in investments and climate initiatives.
Anna was also a stepmother to Prudence Murdoch (born 1958, from Rupert’s first marriage), who possesses equal voting rights in the family trust. The 2001 trust grants each of the four children one vote on pivotal decisions, while Rupert holds four votes. In 2023 and 2024, Rupert sought to modify the trust to confer sole control to Lachlan after his passing, but Elisabeth, James, and Prudence contested this in a Nevada court, and the case remains unresolved as of 2026. Anna’s role in establishing the trust was instrumental in safeguarding her children’s interests and ensuring they have a lasting voice in the family business.
Husband
Anna was married three times:
- Rupert Murdoch (1967–1999) – Media tycoon; marriage concluded due to his affair with Wendi Deng. They enjoyed 32 years together while building a family amidst global business expansion.
- William Mann (December 1999–August 2017) – Financier and CEO of Henry Mann Securities. They resided in the Hamptons; Mann passed away from natural causes at age 80. Anna was known as Anna Murdoch Mann during this time.
- Ashton dePeyster (April 2019–February 2026) – Businessman; had a low-key marriage in Florida. Ashton survives her.
Anna mentioned that after her marriage to Murdoch ended, her life became tranquil and centered on her own joy.
Net Worth
Anna Murdoch Mann’s net worth at her passing in 2026 was estimated to be between US$200–300 million. Her 1999 divorce settlement from Rupert Murdoch was widely reported to be around US$200 million (half in cash, half in property), though some earlier reports suggested up to $1.7 billion, including assets. She opted for a “relatively modest” package when compared to California community property regulations, prioritizing family stability over maximizing wealth.
