The verdict on Rupert Murdoch’s wedding sneakers: ‘I do’ or ‘I don’t’?

The chance of a runaway bride was slim, but Rupert Murdoch, 93, still wore running shoes to marry Russian molecular biologist Elena Zhukova, 67, on Saturday.

Was it a power move by the media mogul, drawing attention away from the bride’s elegant ivory dress at his fifth wedding? Was Murdoch inspired by his fourth wife, supermodel Jerry Hall, who grabbed headlines by wearing flat shoes to their 2016 nuptials?

Rupert Murdoch and Elena Zhukova during their wedding ceremony at his vineyard estate California on June 1. 

More than likely the nondescript lace-ups, rumoured to be by Hoka, were a nod to comfort as well as current trends.

“You certainly couldn’t have worn sneakers to a wedding in the ’50s,” says Simon “Woody” Wood, editor-in-chief of footwear bible Sneaker Freaker. Murdoch’s first marriage to Patricia Booker was in 1957. “Even in the ’60s it was off limits.” Murdoch married second wife, journalist Anna Torv in 1967.

“In recent years, sneakers have become popular for grooms and brides at weddings. People wear gold Air Jordan 4s, matching pairs or old favourites to express being sneakerheads on their big day. It’s seen as an extension of their personality.”

Stiff leather shoes worn by Murdoch at previous weddings seem more in line with the gruff public image of the former Fox and News Corp chairman, but Hokas have their advantages.

“They’re famous for having a higher sole for running and every inch counts,” Wood says. Unlike Hall, Zhukova wore high heels to marry Murdoch.

Good sports (from left): US President Joe Biden in Hoka sneakers in March; Katharine, Duchess of Kent in stylish sneakers and Erdem dress in 2018; British musician Rag’n’Bone Man and Beth Rouy got married in Nikes.Credit: Bloomberg, Getty

“As a running shoe, Hoka has become a genuine challenger to brands such as Nike. Hoka has been crossing over into streetwear, and tends to be seen on a much older customer.”

The brand, owned by US footwear giant Skechers, reached $US1 billion in sales in 2022, and has become a regular choice of US President Joe Biden, worn with suits and a tie. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak prefers Adidas Samba sneakers with suit pants (no tie).

Golding’s view.Credit: Matt Golding

For Sydney stylist Ken Thompson, the brand of sneaker that you wear to a wedding is less important than the way you wear them. He tactfully refrained from commenting on Murdoch’s striped socks.

“Once a trouser is involved, I would recommend a cuffed, wide leg and a black leather sneaker,” Thompson says. “Jackets with strong shoulder pads and pleated trousers definitely work with a dark sneaker, but beware regular, straight-leg trousers unless you want to hear ‘I don’t’.”

Wedding expert Bruce Keebaugh, owner of hospitality company The Big Group, approves of sneakers at the altar or under the chuppah. The Big Group co-ordinated the lavish Melbourne wedding of heiress and toothpaste entrepreneur Georgia Geminder and Matthew Danos in 2022.

“They are totally de rigueur today,” Keebaugh says. “But there are sneakers and then there are sneakers. My black tie go-tos are from Christian Louboutin. With P Johnson suits, I wear sneakers from Tods’ suede range.”

Event stylist and artist James Gordon, who worked on the 1999 wedding of James Packer and Jodhi Meares, and the 1999 wedding of Lachlan Murdoch and Sarah O’Hare, also gives kicks the big tick.

“It can be a quirky youngster look,” Gordon says. “But it works best if they’re both tall.

“A bride a little advanced in years really needs a beautiful shoe.”

Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.