Murdoch seals ‘amicable’ divorce from third wife

NEW YORK (AFP) ― Media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his estranged third wife Wendi Deng have agreed on an “amicable” divorce settlement, the couple announced in New York Wednesday.

Murdoch, 82, and Deng, 44, issued the statement after attending a brief hearing before New York judge Ellen Gesmer.

The couple, who were married in 1999, made no comment after the 10-minute hearing, and the terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to announce that we have reached an amicable settlement of all matters relating to our divorce,” the statement said.

“We move forward with mutual respect and a shared interest in the health and happiness of our two daughters. We will not comment on this any further.”

The couple has 60 days to implement the settlement before the divorce is final, U.S. media reports said.

“I am glad you’ve been able to resolve these matters amicably,” Judge Gesmer was quoted as saying in U.S. media reports.

“Good luck to both of you.”

Murdoch had filed for divorce in June, saying his marriage with Deng, nearly 40 years his junior, was “irretrievably broken.”

The couple have two daughters, Grace Helen, 12, and Chloe, 10.

Several U.S. media reports said that as part of the settlement Deng would keep her luxury apartment on 5th Avenue in New York, valued at $44 million.

The couple had signed a prenuptial agreement ensuring that Murdoch’s grip on his media empire would not be affected by any possible break-up.