Passing of Anna Murdockman at 81

Anna Murdockman, aged 81, died on Tuesday, February 17, at her residence in Palm Beach, Florida, with her family by her side.

Anna was adored by many. As a dedicated mother, she was known for her beauty, quick wit, passion for writing, and unwavering commitment to assisting underprivileged children.

She was born Anna Torf in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1944. When she was nine, her family moved to Australia. Following her parents’ divorce, Anna took on the responsibility of raising her younger siblings. She later pursued a career in journalism, working for the Sydney Daily Mirror and the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

During her 31-year marriage to Rupert Murdoch, Anna played a pivotal role in developing News Corp., a significant global enterprise.

After her divorce, she embraced a glamorous lifestyle in Palm Beach and Southampton. She married Bill Mann for several years before he passed away. She is survived by her current husband, Ashton DePeyster, along with three children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Anna authored three novels: In Her Own Image (1985), Family Business (1988), and Coming to Transfer (1992). Her life was heavily dedicated to philanthropy and advocating for children’s issues.

In the 1990s, while living in Los Angeles, she contributed to a children’s research institute that supported over 5,000 abused children each year. Her annual fundraising efforts managed to collect millions of dollars for the cause.

Anna served as the Chair of the Board of Directors at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and also contributed her skills to Children’s Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, Haiti.

After being diagnosed with cancer, she stepped down from her roles.

In 1998, Pope John Paul II honored her with a membership in the Order of St. Gregory the Great.

Anna was not just talented; she was incredibly resourceful, too. I remember a Thanksgiving years ago when she jokingly said, “My turkey is imported.”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan has fond memories of her. He recalls teasing her about her slight frame, suggesting she should eat more. To which Anna comically responded, “You are the one who eats. I am the one who speaks.”

He also reminisced about her passion for gardening. “I love getting flowers so I can replant them in my garden in the Hamptons,” she said when he was still the Archbishop of New York.

Anna Murdoch was deeply cherished by many.