Jul 14, 2026
The estranged son of billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch seems poised to make a fortune from investments in SpaceX that could far exceed what he’s made from his father’s empire.
James Murdoch, Rupert’s second son, reportedly invested an estimated $120 million in the rocket company leading up to its historic market debut on June 12. Fortune is reporting that the holding could now be worth as much as $7.5 billion. The estimate was made by Pitchbook analyst Franco Granda, who came to the valuation based on details pertaining to Murdoch’s holdings.
Murdoch’s ties to SpaceX
Murdoch reportedly bought three tranches of stock in SpaceX, according to details of a court case brought by a Tesla shareholder against Musk over his infamous $56-billion compensation package, Fortune reported. Two of the tranches were worth $50 million each and were bought in 2019 and 2020 through a private investment firm. The third was bought for $20 million as a personal investment in 2019.
Thanks for subscribing!
Invest smarter with our free newsletter.
By signing up, you accept Moneywise Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.
Pitchbook estimates those stakes together are worth between $6.5 billion and $7.4 billion today.
According to the 2023 court filing, James has long been connected to Musk, whom he met in the late 1990s. The two reconnected in the mid-2000s after James ordered a Tesla. James was later appointed to the Tesla board, and is currently listed as an independent director who joined the company in July 2017.
Advertisement
He has made millions off of his Tesla shares, which he holds in a trust and another financial entity. Sales of Tesla shares have made the trust $107 million since Spring 2025.
Must Read
- The ultra-rich use these 5 real estate strategies to build wealth while they sleep — you can start with just $100
- Here’s the average income of Americans by age in 2026. Are you keeping up or falling behind?
- Insurance companies profit most from drivers who auto-renew without shopping around. Comparing 100+ quotes takes 2 minutes and costs nothing
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
The Murdoch family drama
James, 53, is an avid investor and has already made billions of dollars through his father’s empire. He served as the former chief executive of 21st Century Fox, but stepped down in 2019 after it was acquired by Disney in a $71.3-billion deal. He made $2.2 billion in proceeds.
The Murdoch family underwent a messy and public succession battle. Murdoch officially cut ties with his father after his older brother Lachlan was chosen as the new head of News Corp. The global media company owns dozens of organizations, including HarperCollins Publishers and the parent company of The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s.
In 2025, a Nevada probate court ruled against a move by Rupert and Lachlan to change the Murdoch Family Trust and strip James and his sisters Liz and Prue of their voting rights in News Corp. The parties came to an agreement after an appeal and each of the three siblings received a $1.1-billion payout. They also shed their stock in News Corp and Fox.
The family feud became public after The New York Times and The Atlantic reported on the animosity. Murdoch and his father no longer speak.
James Murdoch’s potential windfall
So far, it is still unconfirmed how much money Murdoch could stand to make from SpaceX. The company’s S-1 document attached to its initial public offering does not mention Murdoch.
The precise date of his stock acquisitions is unknown, and could impact how much he makes. It is unclear whether Murdoch sold his SpaceX shares before the company went public. There have also been several dilutions, which could impact his earnings.
Despite the lingering questions, Fortune is reporting that media industry executives have been exchanging rumors about the massive windfall Murdoch stands to make.
You May Also Like
- JP Morgan sees gold hitting $6,000/oz before 2027 — and a Gold IRA lets you hold the physical metal while deferring the tax bill. Get your free guide from Priority Gold
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
- Millionaires under 43 are reshaping investing — just 25% of their portfolios are in stocks. Here’s where their money is going
Rinna Diamantakos is an assigning editor at Moneywise.com. A versatile journalist, she has experience as a writer, editor and producer. Her work has focused on politics, business and financial news.
