Rupert Murdoch and his wife Wendi Deng in happier times.

Just days before his company News Corp. splits into two, the couple are calling it quits after 14 years.

A spokesman said the marriage between the 82 year old and 44 year old had been irretrievably broken for more than six months.

A person familiar with the situation said the two had a prenuptial agreement, though it was not clear which one would move out of the couple's Upper East Side apartment in New York City.

To many people, Deng is best known for coming to her husband's defense when Murdoch was testifying about the phone-hacking scandal.

More than halfway through the hearing, Deng suddenly leapt from her seat to protect Murdoch from a prankster who tried in vain to smash a shaving cream pie into Murdoch's face.

Deng intercepted him with a furious slap.

The pair married in 1999 after Murdoch divorced his wife of 31 years.