Rupert Murdoch's mother dies at 103 December 5, 2012 -- Updated 1744 GMT (0144 HKT) Elisabeth Murdoch was 103 She had four children, one of whom died in 2004 She is survived by 77 "direct descendants" "We have lost the most wonderful mother," Rupert Murdoch says (CNN) -- Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, mother of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, died Wednesday at the age of 103. She "died peacefully tonight, surrounded by her family," a statement from Rupert Murdoch's representative said. "We have lost the most wonderful mother but we are all grateful to have had her love and wisdom for so many years," 81-year-old Rupert Murdoch said. She was at Cruden Farm, a site in Australia which Keith Murdoch, Rupert's father, gave his wife when she was 19 years old. She had four children -- Rupert, Anne Kantor, Janet Calvert-Jones, and eldest daughter Helen Handbury, who died in 2004. "Dame Elisabeth is survived by 77 direct descendants, including 50 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren," the statement said. Rupert Murdoch said his mother will be mourned by thousands of Australians whose lives she touched.