Jeff Bezos: The Short Story of Amazon’s Legend and World’s 3rd Richest

Jeff Bezos, aged 59 and residing in the United States, is the founder and Executive Chair of Amazon (AMZN). With a formidable net worth of approximately $81,3 billion, Bezos’ wealth is predominantly tied to his 10% ownership stake in Amazon, valued at around $150 billion. In addition to his Amazon holdings, Bezos possesses a range of other assets, including Blue Origin (a private aerospace company), The Washington Post (acquired in 2013) with a private asset value of approximately $250 million, and Koru, a superyacht acquired for around $500 million. Additionally, Bezos holds a cash reserve of approximately $14.8 billion.

In 1994, Bezos founded Amazon.com in a Seattle garage after resigning from the hedge fund giant D.E. Shaw. Initially conceived as an online bookstore, Amazon has evolved into a comprehensive marketplace. Bezos’ strategic diversifications include acquiring Whole Foods in 2017 and venturing into the pharmacy business the same year.

Bezos, who originally owned 16% of Amazon in 2019, transferred 4% to his former wife, MacKenzie Scott, as part of their divorce proceedings. Amazon’s share price experienced a significant surge in 2020, jumping 76% due to increased demand for online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 5, 2021, Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon, assuming the role of Executive Chair.

Beyond Amazon, Bezos is involved in diverse projects, including Blue Origin, an aerospace company, The Washington Post, and the Long Now, a 10,000-year clock project. In July 2021, Bezos, along with his brother Mark, aviation pioneer Wally Funk, and Dutch student Oliver Daemen, completed Blue Origin’s first successful crewed flight, reaching an altitude of over 66 miles. Bezos’ wealth peaked at $213 billion in the same month.

In 2023, Bezos made headlines for acquiring the superyacht Koru for a staggering $500 million, further showcasing his ventures beyond the realm of e-commerce and aerospace.

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