The Richest People In America: Rupert Murdoch

©Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

#47 Rupert Murdoch

$6.8 billion
Source: News Corp

Australia-born tabloid titan welcomed Dow Jones and its crown jewel, the Wall Street Journal, into News Corp. (nyse: NWS - news - people ) empire in December after $5.6 billion all-cash takeover. Plans to challenge the New York Times on political coverage while expanding business news and analysis on the Web to establish the Journal as dominant national media outlet. So far market unimpressed: Stock down 34% in 12 months, erasing $2 billion from his net worth. Despite success of Fox News channel, Fox Business Network, available in 35 million homes, slow to gain audience since October debut. Oxford grad inherited one newspaper at 23, built media empire with Australian and U.S. tabloids, Fox film studio and broadcast network, conservative-leaning cable outlet. May have settled succession plans; appointed son James as the head of Europe and Asia operations.

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