Billionaire media owner Rupert Murdoch is engaged to his new girlfriend, Ann Lesley Smith, less than a year after his divorce from fourth wife Jerry Hall.

The 92-year-old Australian-born mogul told the New York Post, one of his own newspapers, that he had proposed to Smith, 66, with an Asscher cut diamond solitaire ring that he personally selected.

Murdoch, who owns titles including The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, the Herald Sun, as well as The Times in the UK and Fox News in the US, said he was “very nervous” about popping the question again after four previous marriages, but insisted this wedding would be his last.

“I dreaded falling in love – but I knew this would be my last. It better be. I’m happy,” he said.

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Murdoch met Smith, a former San Francisco police chaplain, six months ago after his divorce from Hall was finalised.

In January, pictures were released of the couple in Barbados.

He proposed in New York on St Patrick’s Day. The couple will divide their time between the UK, California, New York and Montana after the wedding which is expected to take place in the northern summer.

“We’re both looking forward to spending the second half of our lives together,” he said.