Rebekah Brooks – Current Status, Net Worth, and Biography

Rebekah Brooks remains one of the most powerful figures in British media. As the CEO of News UK, she oversees some of the country’s biggest newspapers, including The Sun and The Times. Her career has been marked by extraordinary highs, a dramatic fall during the phone hacking scandal, and a remarkable return to the top of her profession.

Brooks lives in London with her husband, Charlie Brooks. A decade after being acquitted of all criminal charges related to phone hacking, she continues to lead Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper operations with no new legal troubles on the horizon.

Her story is a study in resilience. From starting as a secretary at age 21 to becoming the youngest editor of a British national newspaper, Brooks navigated a scandal that closed the News of the World and led to multiple arrests. She was charged, tried, and ultimately found not guilty.

Where Is Rebekah Brooks Now?

As of 2025, Rebekah Brooks is based in London and serves as the CEO of News UK, a position she has held since 2015. Her role involves overseeing the strategic direction of the company’s major titles and managing its position during ongoing legal proceedings related to historical phone hacking.

Quick Facts at a Glance

Key Insights

• Rebekah Brooks is one of the most powerful women in British media, having returned as CEO of News UK after being acquitted of criminal charges.
• Her net worth is tied to her long career at News Corp, including editing The Sun and The News of the World.
• She has been married to Charlie Brooks since 2009; he is a well-known racehorse trainer.
• Her connection to Prince Harry stems from the phone hacking scandal that led to lawsuits against News Group Newspapers.
• Despite her controversial past, she remains a key figure in Rupert Murdoch’s media empire in 2025.

Snapshot Facts

What Is Rebekah Brooks’ Net Worth and Career Background?

Rebekah Brooks’ estimated net worth in 2023 was around $5 million, according to some financial profiles. However, her total compensation from News Corp over the years has been significantly higher. Following her resignation during the phone hacking scandal, she received exit packages totaling over £16 million (more than $20 million). This included £10.8 million in 2011 and an additional £5.3 million later.

Her career began in 1989 when she joined the News of the World as a secretary at the age of 21. She quickly rose through the ranks to become deputy editor. In 2000, at just 32 years old, she was appointed editor of the News of the World, making her the youngest editor of a British national newspaper at the time. She moved to edit The Sun in 2003, a position she held until 2009.

In 2009, she was promoted to CEO of News International, the British newspaper arm of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. She resigned in 2011 as the phone hacking scandal intensified.

The Connection to Prince Harry

A persistent misconception is that Rebekah Brooks is married to Prince Harry. This is not true. Prince Harry is unmarried and has no marital connection to Brooks. The confusion likely arises because The Sun and the News of the World, which she edited and later led, were implicated in scandals targeting the Prince.

Prince Harry is a claimant in the phone hacking lawsuit against News Group Newspapers, which Brooks led as CEO. The case alleges that journalists intercepted Harry’s voicemails. Brooks has consistently denied knowledge of the hacking that occurred during her editorship.

Who Is Rebekah Brooks Married To? Her Husband and Family Life

Rebekah Brooks is married to Charlie Brooks, a former racehorse trainer and author. The couple married in 2009. It is her second marriage; she was previously married to actor Ross Kemp, best known for his role in the television series EastEnders.

Charlie Brooks and Rebekah Brooks have one daughter, who was born in 2012. The family lives together in London, where Brooks continues her work as CEO of News UK.

What Was Rebekah Brooks Like in the 1990s and Her Early Career?

Rebekah Brooks grew up in Warrington, England. She left school at the age of 16. Rather than pursuing further formal education, she began working as a secretary. In 1989, at 21, she joined the News of the World as a secretary. Her tenacity and ambition were immediately apparent.

By the mid-1990s, she had transitioned from secretarial work to journalism and was rapidly promoted. She became a deputy editor of the newspaper, known for her drive and her ability to generate front-page stories. In 2000, she was appointed editor, a role that placed her at the center of British tabloid journalism.

A Career of Firsts

Her appointment as editor of the News of the World made her the first and only female editor in the newspaper’s history at the time. She was also the youngest editor of a British national newspaper. This period of her career established her as a major figure within Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.

Timeline of Key Events

1. 1968: Born in Warrington, England.
2. 1990s: Begins career as a journalist at the News of the World.
3. 2000: Appointed editor of the News of the World.
4. 2003: Becomes editor of The Sun.
5. 2009: Promoted to CEO of News International.
6. 2011: Resigns amid the phone hacking scandal.
7. 2014: Acquitted of all phone hacking charges.
8. 2015: Returns as CEO of News UK (renamed from News International).
9. 2025: Still CEO; featured in news about Prince Harry’s legal actions.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?