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Ben Murray-Bruce OON (born February 18, 1956) is a Nigerian business entrepreneur and politician. He is the creator of the Silverbird Group. He was elected to the Nigerian Senate in March 2015 as a member of the People’s Democratic Party, representing the Bayelsa East Senatorial District in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Ben Murray Bruce Biography
Ben Murray-Bruce was born in Lagos to mixed-race Ijaw parents Mullighan and Margaret Murray-Bruce, who are both from Akassa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. His surname is of Scottish heritage.
He completed his primary education at Our Lady of Apostles in Yaba, Lagos, and then went on to St Gregory College in Obalende, where he earned the West African School Certificate before attending the University of Southern California in the United States, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1979.
Career
Ben Murray-Bruce’s career spans entrepreneurship, entertainment, and politics, establishing him as a prominent figure in Nigerian society. His adventure began in the entertainment sector, where he used his marketing knowledge from the University of Southern California to leave a lasting impression.
In 1980, he launched the Silverbird Group, a media and entertainment conglomerate that changed Nigeria’s economy. Under his guidance, the company established Silverbird Television, Nigeria’s first private television station, and Rhythm FM, a leading radio network.
He also revived the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant, bringing it to international attention by sending winners to Miss World and Miss Universe. Murray-Bruce expanded beyond media by introducing modern cinema exhibitions to Nigeria through Silverbird Cinemas, pioneering the multiplex experience and revolutionising moviegoing in the country.
Ben was regarded as a trailblazer who connected Nigerian entertainment to international norms. Before his entrepreneurial ascension, he temporarily served as the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in the early 1980s, giving him important insight into media operations.
Personal Life
Ben Murray-Bruce has been married to Evelyn Murray-Bruce. Evelyn has actively participated in the Silverbird Group, contributing to its success, particularly by organising events such as the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant.
There is no official record of Ben having several weddings; his long-term relationship with Evelyn appears to be his sole marriage.
Ben and Evelyn have four children: three sons, Cody Murray-Bruce, Jonathan Murray-Bruce, and Jared Murray-Bruce, and one daughter, Jasmine Murray-Bruce. His offspring have occasionally been linked to the Silverbird company, implying a generational stake in his legacy.
Ben Murray Bruce Net Worth
Ben Murray-Bruce, a Nigerian business entrepreneur and former senator, is estimated to be valued between $1 million and $5 million, according to recent evaluations.
His income is mostly derived from his development and leadership of the Silverbird Group, a thriving media and entertainment conglomerate that includes Silverbird Television, Rhythm FM, and Silverbird Cinemas.
His real estate interests and political career, particularly his term as Senator representing Bayelsa East from 2015 to 2019, provide him with additional income.
While exact figures vary due to the private nature of his finances, his entrepreneurial accomplishments and high-profile investments, such as a reported $5 million mansion in Beverly Hills, California, highlight his status as one of Nigeria’s wealthier public figures.
Social Media
X: @benmurraybruce