Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer.
He’s also known for his ventures in space exploration through his company Blue Origin. Bezos stepped down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021 to focus on other ventures.
Early life and Education
Jeff Bezos was born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. He was raised in Houston, Texas, and attended Miami Palmetto High School. Bezos later studied electrical engineering and computer science at Princeton University, graduating in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Career
After graduating from Princeton, Jeff Bezos worked at several firms, including Fitel, Bankers Trust, and D. E. Shaw & Co., where he became a senior vice president. In 1994, he founded Amazon.com, initially as an online bookstore. Over the years, Amazon expanded its product offerings to become the world’s largest online retailer, selling everything from electronics to groceries. Bezos also ventured into other industries, such as cloud computing with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and media with the acquisition of The Washington Post. Additionally, he founded Blue Origin in 2000, a space exploration company aiming to lower the cost of space travel and enable human colonization of space. Bezos served as CEO of Amazon until 2021, when he transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman.
Under Bezos’ leadership, Amazon became one of the most valuable and influential companies globally, revolutionizing industries and shaping consumer behavior. His focus on long-term growth, customer obsession, and innovation propelled Amazon’s success. Additionally, Bezos’ vision for space exploration with Blue Origin reflects his ambition to advance humanity’s presence beyond Earth. As Executive Chairman of Amazon, Bezos continued to play a key role in guiding the company’s direction while devoting more time to initiatives like Blue Origin and philanthropy.
Philantropy
Jeff Bezos has engaged in philanthropy through various initiatives. In 2018, he announced the creation of the Bezos Day One Fund, with a focus on supporting homeless families and creating preschools in low-income communities. The fund pledged $2 billion in its initial phase. Bezos also signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of his wealth to charitable causes during his lifetime or in his will. Additionally, he has made significant personal donations to organizations such as Feeding America and relief efforts during natural disasters. Despite criticism for not being as publicly philanthropic as some other billionaires, Bezos has shown a growing commitment to giving back to society.
Personal life
Jeff Bezos has been married twice. He was married to Mackenzie Scott (formerly Bezos) from 1993 to 2019, and they have four children together. Following their divorce, Mackenzie Scott became one of the world’s wealthiest women due to her share of Amazon stock. Bezos remarried in 2022 to Lauren Sánchez, a former television anchor and helicopter pilot. Bezos is known for his interest in technology, space exploration, and investments in various industries beyond Amazon. He maintains a relatively private personal life, with occasional public appearances and interviews shedding light on his interests and values.
Net Worth
Estimated to be over 190 billion dollars