Australian actor and singer Hugh Jackman took center stage on Saturday evening at Rupert Murdoch’s 95th birthday celebration held in Midtown Manhattan. The event featured Jackman delivering a special performance that included songs from The Greatest Showman, and classics such as “Fly Me to the Moon” and “New York, New York,” culminating with Peter Allen’s iconic “I Still Call Australia Home.” This marked a standout moment in the high-profile party honoring the conservative media mogul and fellow Australian in New York City.
Details of the Star-Studded Celebration
Rupert Murdoch marked his 95th birthday at The Grill, an upscale venue in Midtown Manhattan, hosting some of the world’s most notable figures. The gathering featured a video message from former President Donald Trump, adding a political dimension to the event. Ivanka Trump, a close friend of Jackman, cheered him on during his performance, highlighting the actor’s connections within influential social circles. Jackman’s renditions showcased both his musical theater talents and his Australian pride.
Murdoch arrived accompanied by his wife Elena Zhukova, whom he married earlier in 2024, and their son Lachlan Murdoch, poised to take control of the family’s vast media holdings, which include Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post. Notably absent were Murdoch’s other children — James, Elisabeth, and Prudence — reflecting ongoing family tensions over their shared trust and inheritance.
Notable Guests and Family Dynamics at the Event
The party brought together prominent guests from various spheres, including English playwright Andrew Lloyd Webber, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, ex-House Speaker Paul Ryan, former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Sports industry heavyweights such as Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell were also in attendance, underscoring Murdoch’s extensive influence.
Family disputes have shadowed the event: a prolonged legal battle among Murdoch’s eldest children concerning the family trust was settled in September. The agreement permits Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch to buy out James, Elisabeth, and Prudence, each reportedly receiving $1.1 billion. New trusts are being established for Lachlan and the younger daughters, Grace and Chloe Murdoch. Hugh Jackman and fellow Australian actor Nicole Kidman serve as godparents to these youngest members of the Murdoch family.
Jackman’s Connections and Public Position
Jackman’s ties to the Trump family have drawn public interest, though the actor has emphasized a separation between personal friendships and politics. He explained in a 2018 interview with Variety that his friendship with Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner spans over 15 years, adding,
“I’ve known those guys for 15 years,”
and
“we don’t talk politics at birthday parties.”
Although Jackman cannot vote in the United States, his friendships remain intact and apolitical. Meanwhile, Jackman’s girlfriend, Sutton Foster, his former co-star in the Broadway revival of The Music Man, did not attend the celebration.
Significance and Future Outlook for the Murdoch Legacy
This milestone event not only celebrated Rupert Murdoch’s remarkable life and career but also highlighted the transition of power within one of the most influential media dynasties. With Lachlan Murdoch positioned as heir, the dynasty appears to be moving forward despite internal family conflicts previously exposed in the Netflix documentary series Dynasty: The Murdochs. The gathering’s blend of entertainment, political connections, and media magnates illustrates the intertwined worlds Murdoch operates within, while Jackman’s performance underscored the personal and cultural ties bridging Australia and the United States at this historic moment.
