Jeff Bezos
Biography | Amazon Founder & Philanthropist
Jeff Bezos is an American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist best known as the founder of Amazon, one of the world’s most valuable companies. He is also the founder of aerospace company Blue Origin, the owner of The Washington Post, and one of the most influential business leaders of the 21st century.
Early Life & Education
Jeffrey Preston Bezos was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and raised in Houston, Texas, and Miami, Florida. Fascinated by science and technology from a young age, he went on to study electrical engineering and computer science at Princeton University, graduating in 1986.
Career & Amazon
After working on Wall Street at firms including Fitel, Bankers Trust, and D.E. Shaw & Co., Bezos left in 1994 to launch an online bookstore from his garage. That company became Amazon.com, which expanded rapidly beyond books to redefine global e-commerce, logistics, and cloud computing.
Amazon went public in 1997 and grew into a trillion-dollar business.
Bezos served as CEO until 2021, when he transitioned to Executive Chairman.
He remains one of the largest individual shareholders in Amazon.
Other Ventures
Blue Origin (founded 2000): Bezos’s private space exploration company focused on reusable rockets and the vision of enabling millions of people to live and work in space.
The Washington Post (acquired 2013): Under his ownership, the paper expanded its digital reach and subscriptions.
Bezos Earth Fund (founded 2020): A $10 billion commitment to address climate change.
Wealth & Influence
Bezos has consistently ranked among the world’s richest individuals. According to Bloomberg and Forbes, his net worth has fluctuated between $100–200 billion USD, influenced by Amazon’s share price. His leadership style, long-term vision, and focus on customer obsession have made him a case study in modern business.
Personal Life
Bezos was married to MacKenzie Scott from 1993 to 2019; together they have four children. In 2019, Scott became a major philanthropist following their divorce. Bezos is currently in a relationship with Lauren Sánchez, a former news anchor and helicopter pilot.
Legacy
Jeff Bezos transformed retail, publishing, and cloud computing while investing in ambitious projects such as space exploration and climate change. His influence extends across technology, media, and philanthropy, cementing his status as one of the defining business leaders of his generation.