Rupert Murdoch 'to be a dad again' at 70

Rupert Murdoch is to be a father for the fifth time at the age of 70, according to Australian media reports.

They say his third wife, Wendi Deng, 34, is expecting her first child with the boss of global media empire, News Corporation.

Murdoch has reportedly told close family members the happy news this week.

"We're very happy for Rupert and Wendi" said Geoff Handbury, husband of Mr Murdoch's sister, Helen Handbury.

"It's going to be a wonderful thing for them both. I'm sure most young women, like Wendi, would love to have a baby.

"It's going to be very much loved by a very big family," he said.

Murdoch's mother, Dame Elisabeth, said Ms Deng's pregnancy is not very far advanced. "Oh it's just family news that's all," she said.

Ms Deng was a junior News Corporation executive before meeting Murdoch in Hong Kong.

They married in 1999, the year after Murdoch suddenly left his second wife of of 31 years, Anna.

They had three children Elisabeth, 32, Lachlan, 29 and James, 28.