The Lachlan Murdoch house in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, is a jaw-dropping mansion that screams luxury and history. Known as the Chartwell Estate, this property grabbed headlines when Lachlan Murdoch, a media mogul and heir to the Murdoch empire, bought it for a record-breaking $150 million in 2019. It’s not just a house—it’s a symbol of wealth, power, and pop culture, famously featured as the Clampett family home in The Beverly Hillbillies.
With sprawling gardens, secret tunnels, and a price tag that made it California’s most expensive home at the time, the Lachlan Murdoch house sparks curiosity. Who lives in such a grand place? What makes it so special?
Let’s dive into the world of Lachlan Murdoch and explore his incredible home, his life, and his massive real estate empire.
Who is Lachlan Murdoch?
Lachlan Murdoch is a big name in the media world, born into one of the richest and most powerful families. As the eldest son of Rupert Murdoch, the Australian-American media tycoon, Lachlan runs major companies like Fox Corporation and News Corp as their chairman and CEO. He’s a key player in global media, overseeing brands like Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The Australian. His net worth, estimated at $2.7 billion in 2025, shows his success.
Lachlan owns a fancy Gulfstream G650ER private jet, registered to Fox News Corporation, worth about $90 million. He also sails the seas on his $175 million yacht, Sarissa, a luxurious vessel built by Royal Huisman. Besides the Bel-Air mansion, he owns homes in Sydney, Aspen, and New York, but no private islands are reported. Cars? He’s known for collecting custom Porsches, though exact numbers aren’t public. His wealth and assets reflect a life of luxury and influence.
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Full Name | Lachlan Keith Murdoch |
Date of Birth | September 8, 1971 |
Place of Birth | London, England |
Nationality | Australian, British, American |
Occupation | Executive Chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation, Chairman of News Corp |
Net Worth (2025) | $2.7 billion (Celebrity Net Worth) |
Spouse | Sarah O’Hare (married 1999) |
Children | Three |
Education | Princeton University (Bachelor’s in Philosophy, 1994) |
Total Homes | 4 (Bel-Air, Los Angeles; Aspen, Colorado; Sydney, Australia; New York City) |
Private Jet | Gulfstream G650ER (owned by Fox News Corporation, valued at $90 million) |
Yacht | Sarissa (Royal Huisman, valued at $175 million) |
Cars | Collects custom Porsches (exact number not disclosed) |
Private Islands | None reported |
Current Residence | Splits time between Sydney, Los Angeles, and New York City |
Where Does Lachlan Murdoch Live Now?
Lachlan Murdoch splits his time between three major cities: Sydney, Los Angeles, and New York City. His family, including his wife, Sarah O’Hare, and their three kids, has called Sydney home since 2021, where they live in a lavish mansion in Bellevue Hill. But Lachlan’s work as head of Fox Corporation and News Corp keeps him bouncing between Los Angeles, where the Fox headquarters is, and New York City, home to News Corp.
His main residence, though, is the famous Lachlan Murdoch house in Bel-Air, Los Angeles—the Chartwell Estate. Bought in 2019, it’s where he hosts big meetings and lives large when in California. He also owns a stunning ranch in Aspen, Colorado, perfect for getaways. This global lifestyle shows how Lachlan balances his media empire with a life of luxury across continents.
Lachlan Murdoch House
1. Where Is Lachlan Murdoch House?
The Lachlan Murdoch house, known as the Chartwell Estate, sits in the ultra-exclusive Bel-Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. This ritzy area, northwest of downtown LA, is a hotspot for celebrities and billionaires, with neighbors like Cheryl Tiegs, whose former home Lachlan also bought for $14.1 million in 2020. Bel-Air’s quiet, tree-lined streets and gated estates offer privacy and prestige.
The Chartwell Estate spans 10 acres, making it one of the largest properties in the area. It’s just a short drive from Beverly Hills and the Sunset Strip, blending old Hollywood charm with modern luxury. The estate also includes the former home of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, adding historical weight. With sky-high property taxes of $1.3 million a year, this Lachlan Murdoch house is a true symbol of wealth in one of LA’s priciest zip codes.
2. Features of Lachlan Murdoch House
The Lachlan Murdoch house, or Chartwell Estate, is a masterpiece of French neoclassical design, built in the 1930s by architect Sumner Spaulding. Covering 25,000 square feet, the main mansion boasts 11 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms, perfect for a media mogul’s lifestyle. Its limestone facade and 26 rooms give it a royal vibe, like a European palace plopped in LA. Inside, you’ll find a grand ballroom with a piano, an 18-seat dining room with 1700s European paneling, and a vaulted foyer that screams elegance.
A 12,000-bottle wine cellar, a 75-foot swimming pool, and a pool house add to the luxury. Secret underground tunnels—one leading to the pool, another to gardens and koi ponds—make it feel like a spy movie set. The estate’s 10 acres include manicured gardens, a redwood grove, a tennis court, and a driveway for 40 cars. A grassy helipad and a 5,700-square-foot guest house designed by Wallace Neff round out this dream property. Its iconic look even starred in The Beverly Hillbillies, cementing its place in pop culture.
Lachlan Murdoch Real Estate Portfolio
Lachlan Murdoch’s real estate portfolio is a dazzling mix of luxury homes across the globe, reflecting his wealth and taste. Besides the $150 million Chartwell Estate in Bel-Air, he owns several other standout properties. In Sydney, Australia, he and his wife, Sarah, bought a Bellevue Hill mansion called Le Manoir for $18 million in 2009. This 44,100-square-foot estate, once home to the French trade commissioner, is near Point Piper, where they also own a $29.8 million boat shed with docks for his yacht, Sarissa. They sold a Point Piper home for $14.55 million in 2005 and a Bronte Beach waterfront property for $9 million in 2014 after buying it for $5.7 million.
In Aspen, Colorado, Lachlan snapped up a 45-acre equestrian ranch in 2017 for $29 million. Called Mopani, this 13,500-square-foot lodge has six bedrooms, a movie theater, a wine cellar, and a two-bedroom guest house. In 2023, he added a $35.2 million, 6,500-square-foot apartment on Central Park South in New York City, where he once lived in the 1990s. His childhood was spent in New York City at places like the Trinity School, but no specific childhood homes are noted. Lachlan’s portfolio, from Sydney’s waterfront to Aspen’s mountains, shows his knack for picking prime real estate.
Conclusion
The Lachlan Murdoch house in Bel-Air is more than a home—it’s a symbol of wealth, history, and media power. From its $150 million price tag to its secret tunnels and Beverly Hillbillies fame, the Chartwell Estate stands out as a crown jewel in Lachlan’s vast real estate portfolio. His homes in Sydney, Aspen, and New York City show a life split across continents, balancing family and a media empire. With a net worth of $2.7 billion, a private jet, a yacht, and custom Porsches, Lachlan lives large. Yet, the Lachlan Murdoch house in Bel-Air remains his most iconic property, blending old-world charm with modern luxury. It’s a testament to his status as a global media heir.
FAQs
Are Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch still together?
Yes, Lachlan Murdoch and Sarah Murdoch are still together. They married in 1999 and have three children. They have maintained residences in Sydney, Aspen, and Los Angeles, and Sarah has lived in Sydney with the children since 2021 while Lachlan splits his time between several locations.
Why did Lachlan Murdoch leave Fox?
Lachlan Murdoch resigned from News Corp in 2005 after a reported falling out with his father over programming decisions at Fox. Specifically, Lachlan objected to launching a TV news-based reality show, which his father and Fox CEO Roger Ailes supported. Following this, Lachlan spent about 10 years outside the family business before returning later to take prominent leadership roles.
How much is Lachlan Murdoch worth?
Estimates of Lachlan Murdoch’s net worth vary by source but range generally between approximately $2.7 billion to $3.2 billion USD as of 2025. One estimate reports $2.7 billion, while Australian Financial Review lists about A$3.21 billion. Some recent insider data estimates a lower figure around $77–78 million based only on stock holdings, but this likely does not include the full value of his assets and private holdings.
Who inherited Rupert Murdoch’s money?
Rupert Murdoch’s wealth is managed under a family trust established in 2006, which stipulates that following certain conditions, his voting shares and wealth will be divided among his four eldest children, including Lachlan Murdoch. Rupert has attempted to consolidate control for Lachlan but has faced legal challenges; thus, the inheritance structure remains primarily governed by the family trust with shared stakes among his children.