94-Year-Old Billionaire Flexes Power Over Younger, Wealthier Rivals

This title retains the core elements of the original—age, action, and rivalry—while using concise, impactful language. The verb "flexes" preserves the colloquial tone of "power flex," and the structure emphasizes the billionaire’s assertive stance against competitors.

Rupert Murdoch Defies Black-Tie Norms at Billionaires’ Ball

[Image: Rupert Murdoch, 94, in a tuxedo with black sneakers at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony]
Caption: Media mogul Rupert Murdoch made a bold style statement at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony, pairing his tuxedo with black sneakers.

At 94, Rupert Murdoch turned heads at the star-studded Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in Santa Monica by ditching traditional dress shoes for black sneakers. The Fox News founder stood out among fellow billionaires like Jeff Bezos (61), Mark Zuckerberg (40), and Bill Gates (69), who all opted for classic tuxedos and polished footwear. Murdoch’s relaxed look, complete with a standard black tie instead of a bow tie, highlighted his signature defiance of convention.

[Image: Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates in tuxedos with traditional dress shoes]
Caption: Bezos and Gates adhered to black-tie norms, while Murdoch embraced a more casual aesthetic.

Dubbed the “Billionaires’ Ball,” the event—co-founded by Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan—honored groundbreaking achievements in science, awarding millions to top researchers. Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Gal Gadot mingled with tech titans, while host James Corden quipped about the week’s stock market plunge: “I see a room full of people worried they might have to fly commercial again.”

[Image: Mark Zuckerberg wearing Meta’s AI glasses]
Caption: Zuckerberg showcased Meta’s AI glasses, adding a tech-forward twist to his all-black ensemble.

Gal Gadot, 39, shared a personal connection to the science celebrated that night. While presenting a posthumous award to surgical pioneer George Berci, she revealed a life-threatening health scare during her pregnancy: “I had three major blood clots. Thanks to MRI technology, I’m here today.”

[Image: Gal Gadot speaking at the ceremony]
Caption: Gadot credited medical advancements for saving her life during a recent pregnancy complication.

Earlier that day, Murdoch made headlines by marrying retired molecular biologist Elena Zhukova, 67, in a private Bel Air ceremony. The media mogul again chose black sneakers, this time with a gold tie and suit, while Zhukova wore an off-white cocktail dress and pumps.

[Image: Murdoch and Elena Zhukova at their wedding]
Caption: Murdoch’s fifth wedding featured his trademark sneakers, while Zhukova opted for classic bridal elegance.

Murdoch’s unorthodox footwear—reportedly Hoka sneakers, similar to those worn by President Biden—underscored his penchant for blending power with nonconformity. Whether at a high-profile gala or his own wedding, the billionaire proved that even at 94, he’s rewriting the rules.

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