Ex-Wife of Jeff Bezos Transforms Fortune Into Philanthropy

SEATTLE, Wash. — MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is channeling her wealth into philanthropy after agreeing to Warren Buffett‘s Giving Pledge, which encourages billionaires to donate at least half of their wealth. Scott, currently worth $34.5 billion, has committed herself to impactful charitable initiatives.

Raised in San Francisco, Scott experienced a turbulent financial upbringing when her father, Jason Baker Tuttle, faced bankruptcy due to lavish spending within his firm, leading to challenges that shaped her relationship with money. As she navigated her education at Princeton University, Scott gained insight into financial responsibility, often taking low-paying jobs to support herself.

After graduating, Scott began working at the investment firm D.E. Shaw, where she met Bezos. A whirlwind romance ensued, resulting in their marriage and a significant career shift as they relocated to Seattle to establish Amazon. Scott played a vital role in the early development of the company, contributing from both an administrative and operational perspective, including physical contributions during busy seasons.

Despite their successful venture, Scott’s marriage to Bezos deteriorated, leading to their separation in early 2019, shortly before news of Bezos’ affair with Lauren Sanchez broke. Their divorce settlement awarded Scott a 4% stake in Amazon, valued at approximately $38 billion.

In the aftermath of her divorce, Scott pledged to use her wealth for philanthropy, establishing herself as a major philanthropic figure. Her charitable pursuits include a diverse array of causes, ranging from racial and gender equality to supporting economic mobility and public health initiatives. Through her primary philanthropic vehicle, she has donated $19.25 billion across 2,450 organizations.

Scott’s focus on transparency in her donations reflects her commitment to making a difference in various communities, as she aims to ensure recipients of her support are aware of the impact of their contributions.