Like a scene of succession: Henchman employed by Jerry Hall, 66, gives divorce papers to 91-year-old Rupert Murdoch before boarding his private jet.
His granddaughter’s wedding was an opportunity for Rupert Murdoch to put his split from Jerry Hall in the back of his mind.
But celebrations turned sour for the 91-year-old media tycoon after Miss Hall’s divorce lawyers seized the opportunity to serve her with legal papers.
Sunday’s Mail may reveal a ‘shocked’ document was handed to Mr Murdoch moments before he boarded his private plane at RAF Breeze Norton’s car park in Oxfordshire.
Private investigator Michael Kolasicco, a former counter-terrorism officer with the Metropolitan Police, waited. According to a witness, Mr Murdoch was surrounded by his own security, but Mr Colasicco ‘did not respond in time’ before the paperwork was in the hands of the mogul.
The source said, “He looked stunned, to put it mildly.

The Mail on Sunday may reveal a ‘shocked’ Mr Murdoch was handed documents moments before boarding his private plane at RAF Breeze Norton’s car park in Oxfordshire
The extraordinary scenario could have come directly from an episode of the hit television drama Succession, which follows the ploys of an aging billionaire media mogul and his warring family who are struggling for control of the dynasty.
Miss Hall resorts to such aggressive tactics to pursue divorce proceedings, perhaps a sign of how upset she is with his treatment. Reports claim the billionaire Mr Murdoch ended his six-year marriage in an email to 66-year-old Miss Hall.
Sources said she was ‘devastated’ by the marital breakdown, and they believe Mr Murdoch turned her sour during the pandemic when he kept her in isolation to prevent COVID-19. It is claimed that this caused tension with her children, who allegedly ‘distrusted’ her and accused her of refusing them to see her.
On July 1, the former model filed for divorce in Los Angeles, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’. They are said to have signed a premarital agreement, but Miss Hall’s lawyers claim that she was ‘ignorant of the full nature and extent of all. [Murdoch’s] property and debts, will amend this petition on becoming aware of further information’.
Mr Murdoch’s granddaughter Charlotte and Luke Storey are photographed with family outside St Mary’s Church in Westwell, Oxfordshire, a day after Miss Hall filed for divorce. The following Monday morning Mr. Murdoch was given the divorce papers.


Private investigator Michael Kolasicco, a former counter-terrorism officer with the Metropolitan Police, waited. According to a witness, Mr. Murdoch was surrounded by his own security, but Mr. Colasicco “did not respond in time” before the paperwork was in the hands of Muggle.
Nick Goldstone, head of dispute resolution at the international law firm Innes, said Mr Murdoch was served personally, indicating that the ‘recipient did not expect the service or the party to be served expected a degree of theft’ .
He said: ‘Until the service becomes effective, the proceedings cannot proceed. This can be a tricky exercise, especially where the target is an international traveler and you want to serve them in the jurisdiction. It can be important to capture them when they are in situ.
He said the move suggested that Miss Hall wanted to ‘progress with the divorce as quickly as possible’.
Mark Stephens CBE with London-based law firm Howard Kennedy said it appeared to be a ‘well executed’ service of paperwork, and serving Mr Murdoch personally was a way to ‘speed things up’.
He said: ‘I doubt that he’ [Murdoch] Their lawyers would have been given the opportunity to accept the service and they did not. It may have been done to say, you are not going to get away from it without taking anything.’


Mr Stephens said Miss Hall’s filing for divorce in California – they were married in London – is significant because it is a community property state, meaning any property acquired during the marriage will be in default. splits 50/50.
Among the documents that can be made public are financial disclosures that Mr. Murdoch made to his prenup at Miss Hall.
Mr Stephens said: ‘This is a case that does not need to be prosecuted. He is rich enough to pay what is asked for. The smart thing is not to line the pages of the newspapers – just go ahead and settle the matter.’
Mr Murdoch declined to comment, while Miss Hall and her legal team did not respond to questions.
advertisement