Rupert Murdoch and Wendi Deng agree to divorce settlement

Rupert Murdoch and his wife, Wendi Deng Murdoch, appeared before a Manhattan judge yesterday in a 10-minute hearing that cleared the way for ending their 14-year marriage.

“I’m glad you were able to resolve these matters amicably,” New York State Judge Ellen Gesmer said to Mr Murdoch and his wife.

After the session, Ms Deng crossed the courtroom to hug Mr Murdoch, the chairman of News Corp and 21st Century Fox.

Key details of the agreement were not revealed, but a person familiar with the terms said Ms Deng is expected to keep the couple’s home in Beijing and their Fifth Avenue apartment in Manhattan, bought in 2004 for a then-record $44 million.

Mr Murdoch (82) filed for divorce from Ms Deng (44) in June citing that their marriage had been irretrievably broken.

To many, Ms Deng is perhaps best known for intercepting a shaving cream pie that was pitched at Mr Murdoch while he was testifying before British parliament 2011. – (Reuters)