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Rupert Murdoch’s engagement abruptly called off – US media

Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and ex-police chaplain Ann Lesley Smith have abruptly called off their engagement weeks after the announcement, according to reports.

Vanity Fair quotes a source close to Mr Murdock, 92, as saying he was uncomfortable with what Ms Smith, 66, described as outspokenly evangelical, views.

Mr Murdoch, who split from fourth wife Jerry Hall in 2022, is yet to comment.

But his engagement to Ms Smith was only announced last month.

The two met at an event at his winery in California in September.

In March, the businessman told the New York Post, one of his own publications: “I was scared of falling in love – but I knew it would be my last. It’s better this way. I am happy.”

Mr Murdoch, the Australian-born US magnate, added that he proposed to Ms Smith on St Patrick’s Day (March 17), noting that he was “one quarter Irish” and “very nervous” has been.

Mrs. Smith’s late husband was Chester Smith, a country singer and radio and television executive.

“It’s a gift from God for both of us. We met last September,” she told the New York Post after announcing their engagement.

“I’ve been a widow for 14 years. Like Rupert, my husband was a businessman… so I speak Rupert’s language. We share the same beliefs.”

Mr Murdoch, who has six children from his first three marriages, added at the time: “We both look forward to spending the second half of our lives together.”

The wedding was scheduled to take place in late summer and the couple had hoped to spend it between California, Montana, New York and the UK.

Mr Murdoch was previously married to Australian flight attendant Patricia Booker, Scottish-born journalist Anna Mann and Chinese-born entrepreneur Wendi Deng.

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