Grace Deng, the 25-year-old daughter of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, captivated onlookers with her stunning red carpet appearance at the prestigious post-Oscar Vanity Fair party in Los Angeles on Sunday. The young socialite, dressed in a dazzling black lace gown featuring a floor-sweeping hemline, posed for photographs alongside her mother, Wendi Deng, as they entered the exclusive A-list soirée.
Grace Deng's Fashion Statement
Grace piled on the glamour for the high-profile event, accessorising her elegant black lace gown with a substantial diamond necklace, classic pearl earrings, and a delicate gold chain bracelet. She wore her black hair in a fashionable slicked-back style with a middle part, completing her look with a winged-eye makeup design that added a touch of drama. Notably, Grace carried a luxurious Khaite clutch valued at over $4,500, underscoring her sophisticated fashion choices for the evening.
Wendi Deng's Elegant Ensemble
Meanwhile, Wendi Deng, aged 57, also commanded attention in a beaded floor-length evening gown that featured a feathered skirt and a structured corset top. The film producer and entrepreneur allowed her long black hair to cascade over her shoulders, accessorising with a diamond chain necklace, matching bracelet and earrings, and a chunky ruby statement ring. For her makeup, Wendi opted for a dramatic smoky eyeliner effect paired with soft eyeshadow, enhancing her striking presence at the event.
Background on Wendi Deng and Rupert Murdoch
Wendi Deng was Rupert Murdoch's third wife, following his previous marriages to Patricia Brooker from 1956 to 1967 and Anna Maria Torv from 1967 to 1999. Rupert first met and fell for Wendi in 1997 during a trip to Hong Kong, two years before his divorce from Anna was finalised. Their whirlwind courtship included early morning gym sessions where they were spotted sweating on exercise bikes and giggling like teenagers, leading to their marriage on June 25, 1999.
The couple exchanged vows on the deck of Murdoch's yacht, Morning Glory, as it circled Manhattan, with 80 guests in attendance. With Wendi's encouragement, Rupert purchased Laurance Rockefeller's Fifth Avenue triplex for $44 million, which at the time represented the most expensive property purchase in New York City's history. Wendi later focused on her role as mother to their two daughters, Grace and Chloe, born in 2001 and 2003 respectively.
Post-Marriage Developments
Following their 14-year marriage, Rupert Murdoch went on to marry model Jerry Hall in 2016, though they separated in 2022. He is currently married to his fifth wife, Elena Zhukova. Wendi Deng has also made headlines with her romantic life; in 2014, a love note she wrote to former Prime Minister Tony Blair was published in Vanity Fair, in which she expressed admiration for his 'good body' and 'piercing blue eyes'. Blair, who serves as godfather to Grace, strongly denied allegations of an affair.
Wendi is known for maintaining amicable relationships with former partners, remaining on good terms with Rupert Murdoch. She famously defended him in 2011 by lunging at a protester who attempted to throw a foam pie at him during a parliamentary hearing. This incident highlighted her protective nature and the enduring connection between the former spouses, even as they navigate separate lives in the public eye.
