Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall buy sprawling $200 million ranch in rural USA

Rupert Murdoch and his wife Jerry Hall have bought a sprawling $200 million ranch in Montana’s rodeo country.

The 340,000-acre Beaverhead cattle ranch near Yellowstone Park was once owned by Fred Koch, founder of the Koch oil and industry dynasty.

News of the 90-year-old media mogul’s latest property purchase was reported by the Wall Street Journal, the financial newspaper owned by Murdoch’s media empire News Corp.

“This is a profound responsibility,” he told the WSJ.

“We feel privileged to assume ownership of this beautiful land and look forward to continually enhancing both the commercial cattle business and the conservation assets across the ranch.”

The vast holding spans 50 miles and crosses two counties with 25 proerties, mostly lived in by employees.

It is home to around 4,000 elk, 800 antelope and 1,500 deer according to estate agent Chance Bernall, which marketed the property privately.

The Murdoch family also owns a ranch in California, a winery in Los Angeles, and a 25,000-acre sheep and cattle farm in Rupert’s native Australia.

Koch Industries is now headed by Fred’s son, the billionaire Charles Koch, ranked as the 21st richest person in the world and known for supporting Republican candidates and libertarian causes.

Murdoch announced his engagement to Hall, then 59, in January 2016. The pair were married at St Bride’s in Fleet Street two months later.

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