- Lynn Forester de Rothschild considering sale of her 26.7% stake in The Economist Group
- Sale could value the company at around £800 million
- Deal aims to preserve editorial independence amid shifting media ownership landscape
British philanthropist Lynn Forester de Rothschild is preparing to sell her family’s entire 26.7 per cent stake in The Economist Group, in what would be the most significant ownership shift for the publisher in a decade. The holding includes around 20 per cent of the voting shares – the maximum permitted for any single shareholder – and could value the group at about £800 million ($1.1 billion).
The Economist remains one of the world’s most influential media brands, prized for its editorial independence and global reach. Any change in ownership is likely to draw scrutiny from readers and investors keen to see its autonomy preserved.
The Economist Group is primarily controlled by Italy’s Agnelli family, who hold about 43.4 per cent through their investment company Exor. They acquired their majority stake in 2015, when Pearson sold its 50 per cent holding in a £469 million deal. John Elkann, Exor’s chief executive, said at the time he saw strong growth potential in The Economist’s digital business.
Forester de Rothschild, chair of EL Rothschild and a long-time supporter of the publication and its educational initiatives, is understood to be working with investment bank Lazard on the sale. Interest is expected from wealthy individuals, family offices and strategic investors in both the US and UK. Advisers are said to be vetting potential buyers to ensure The Economist’s editorial independence remains intact.
The move comes as ownership of leading media brands faces renewed attention, with investors seeking trusted titles that can weather digital disruption. The Economist’s blend of authority, profitability and prestige makes it a rare prize in a media market often struggling to sustain legacy publications.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/rothschild-family-explores-sale-of-entire-stake-in-the-economist – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/economist-news-owners-rothschild-family-stake – British philanthropist Lynn Forester de Rothschild is selling her family’s entire 26.7% stake in The Economist, marking the largest ownership change in a decade. The stake includes approximately 20% in voting shares, the maximum allowed for a single shareholder. The sale process began in London on Monday, with high industry interest expected due to The Economist’s global influence and reputation for editorial independence. This follows the 2015 sale of Pearson’s majority stake to Exor, the Agnelli family’s holding company, for £469 million. The Rothschild family’s foundation and investment arm have been long-term backers of the publication and its associated educational foundation. The stake offers rare investment access into a respected and globally recognized media property, potentially attracting foreign buyers interested in authoritative Western news outlets. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/economist-news-owners-rothschild-family-stake?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-media-trends-dc790a40-a2ac-11f0-9190-95da124578a7 – In the October 7, 2025 edition of Axios Media Trends, the headline story reveals that Lynn Forester de Rothschild is selling her family’s entire 26.7% stake in The Economist. This move represents the largest ownership shift for the publication in a decade and could value The Economist Group at up to £800 million ($1.1 billion). Rothschild’s advisers are in talks with potential buyers aiming to preserve the publication’s editorial independence. Other key stories include David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance acquiring The Free Press for $150 million, appointing Bari Weiss as top editor at CBS News—seen as a politically strategic move. The newsletter paints a dynamic picture of shifting media ownership, political influence, and consumer trust in a rapidly evolving industry. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-media-trends-dc790a40-a2ac-11f0-9190-95da124578a7?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/12/pearson-sells-economist-stake-exor – In August 2015, Pearson, a British education publisher, sold its 50% stake in The Economist Group to Exor, the holding company of Italy’s Agnelli family, for £469 million. Exor increased its stake from 4.7% to 43.4%, becoming the largest shareholder in the publication. The deal also involved the Economist Group repurchasing shares from Pearson, with no immediate changes planned for the board composition. John Elkann, CEO of Exor, expressed confidence in The Economist’s potential, particularly in seizing development opportunities linked to the digitisation of the media industry. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/12/pearson-sells-economist-stake-exor?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/lynn-forester-de-rothschild-explores-sale-of-economist-group-stake–bloomberg-93CH-4239110 – Lynn Forester de Rothschild is exploring the sale of a significant minority stake in The Economist Group, potentially marking the first ownership change in a decade at the 182-year-old magazine. The sale process for approximately 20% in voting shares could begin in the coming weeks, with an estimated value between £200 million ($271 million) and £400 million. Forester de Rothschild has engaged Lazard Inc. as an adviser for the potential transaction. The sale is expected to attract interest from high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and strategic investors looking for opportunities in the premium media sector. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/lynn-forester-de-rothschild-explores-sale-of-economist-group-stake–bloomberg-93CH-4239110?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/12/pearson-to-sell-economist-stake-for-731-million.html – In August 2015, Pearson agreed to sell its 50% stake in The Economist Group for £469 million ($730.6 million), making Italy’s Agnelli family the largest investor in the weekly publication. Exor, the investment vehicle of the Agnelli family, purchased 27.8% of the Economist’s ordinary shares for £227.5 million and the remaining shares for £59.5 million, increasing its stake from 4.7% to 43.4%. The remaining shares were repurchased by the Economist Group for £182 million. John Elkann, CEO of Exor, expressed confidence in The Economist’s potential, particularly in seizing development opportunities linked to the digitisation of the media industry. ([cnbc.com](https://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/12/pearson-to-sell-economist-stake-for-731-million.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Forester_de_Rothschild – Lynn Forester de Rothschild is a British-American businesswoman and philanthropist. She sold her stake in TPI to Motorola in 1995 for a figure reportedly between $80 million and $100 million. In 1995, she founded FirstMark Communications Inc in the United States, a broadband wireless company. In 1997, she sold her US interests to focus on international opportunities. In 1998, she founded FirstMark Communications of Europe, building a 20,000km fibre network in 15 countries. The company was sold in June 2000 in a $1 billion financing, the largest private equity placement in the history of the European competitive telecommunications sector. She is now the chair of E.L. Rothschild, a holding company she owns, which manages investments in The Economist Group, owner of The Economist magazine, Congressional Quarterly, and the Economist Intelligence Unit. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Forester_de_Rothschild?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being October 7, 2025, by Axios. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/economist-news-owners-rothschild-family-stake?utm_source=openai)) The National Herald India article was published on October 8, 2025, indicating timely reporting.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The National Herald India article does not contain any direct quotes, suggesting original reporting.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The National Herald India is a news outlet based in India. While it is not as widely recognised as some other international news organisations, it is a legitimate source. The report cites Axios, a reputable news outlet, as the original source. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/economist-news-owners-rothschild-family-stake?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims in the narrative are plausible and align with information from reputable sources. The potential sale of the Rothschild family’s stake in The Economist has been reported by multiple outlets, including Axios. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/economist-news-owners-rothschild-family-stake?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with no evidence of recycled content. It does not contain direct quotes, indicating original reporting. The source is legitimate, citing reputable outlets like Axios. The claims are plausible and corroborated by multiple sources. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.
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