Jeffrey Preston Bezos Jorgensen; born January 12, 1964) is a renowned American businessman best known as the founder, executive chairman, and former president and CEO of Amazon, the world’s largest e-commerce and cloud computing company. As of January 1, 2025, Bezos has a net worth of $251 billion, according to the Forbes and Bloomberg Billionaires Index, making him the second-richest person globally. From 2017 to 2021, he held the title of the world's richest person. His wealth and influence over government, business, and media have occasionally led to his characterization as an oligarch.

Early Life and Family Background

Jeffrey Preston Bezos (né Jorgensen) was born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Jacklyn Gise Jorgensen and Ted Jorgensen. His father was 19 years old and his mother was 17 at the time of his birth. Ted, a unicyclist and owner of a bike shop, struggled with alcoholism and financial difficulties, leading to their divorce in 1965. Jacklyn, determined to provide for her son, attended night school and worked various jobs.

In 1968, Jacklyn married Miguel "Mike" Bezos, a Cuban immigrant and Exxon engineer, who adopted Jeff and gave him the last name Bezos. The family moved to Houston, Texas, where Jeff spent much of his childhood. His maternal grandfather, Lawrence Preston Gise, a former director at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, inspired Jeff’s early interest in science during summers at his ranch in Cotulla, Texas.

As a child, Jeff displayed an innate curiosity and knack for engineering. He dismantled household gadgets to understand their mechanics and once built an electronic alarm to keep his siblings out of his room.

Education

Elementary School: River Oaks Elementary in Houston, Texas (4th to 6th grade).

Born	Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen January 12, 1964 (age 60)
Occupations	Businessman media proprietor investor
Known for	Founding Amazon
Education	Princeton University (BSE)
Title	Founder and executive chairman of Amazon Founder of Blue Origin Owner of The Washington Post Founder of Bezos Expeditions Executive Chair of Bezos Earth Fund Founder of Bezos Academy
Spouse	MacKenzie Scott ​ ​(m. 1993; div. 2019
Partner(s)	Lauren Sánchez (2019–present; engaged)
Children	4
Parents	Jackie Bezos (mother) Ted Jorgensen (father) Miguel Bezos (stepfather)
Relatives	Mark Bezos (half-brother

High School: Miami Palmetto High School, Miami, Florida. While in high school:

• Participated in the University of Florida's Student Science Training Program.
• Won the Silver Knight Award.
• Was a National Merit Scholar.
• Graduated as valedictorian in 1982.
• Gave a commencement speech envisioning human colonization of space and turning Earth into a national park.

University: Princeton University (1982–1986)

• Initially studied physics but switched to computer science and electrical engineering.
• Graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE).
• Member of Tau Beta Pi, Phi Beta Kappa, and president of Princeton's chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS).

Early Career (1986–1994)

After Princeton, Bezos worked on Wall Street in several prominent firms:

1. Fitel: Built an international trade network for the company.
2. Bankers Trust: Rose to vice president.
3. D.E. Shaw & Co.: Focused on technology-driven opportunities and became the company’s youngest vice president.

While at D.E. Shaw, Bezos conceived the idea of an online bookstore after discovering the rapid growth of internet usage in the early 1990s.

Founding Amazon (1994)

In 1994, Bezos left his job at D.E. Shaw to pursue his entrepreneurial dream. He and his wife, MacKenzie Scott, drove from New York to Seattle, writing the business plan for Amazon on the way. They started Amazon from their garage in Seattle with an initial focus on selling books online.

• 1995: Amazon launched as an online bookstore.
• Late 1990s: Expanded into other products, including electronics, toys, and more.
• 2000s: Diversified into areas such as cloud computing (Amazon Web Services), streaming media (Prime Video, Amazon Studios), and smart devices (Echo, Alexa).

Key Milestones at Amazon

• 1997: Amazon went public with its IPO.
• Early 2000s: Survived the dot-com bubble burst and established itself as a global e-commerce leader.
• 2007: Launched the Kindle e-reader, revolutionizing the publishing industry.
• 2013: Acquired The Washington Post for $250 million.
• 2015: Launched Amazon Echo and Alexa, pioneering the smart home market.
• 2021: Transitioned to Executive Chairman, handing over the CEO role to Andy Jassy.

Today, Amazon is the largest online retailer globally and a leader in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital streaming.

Blue Origin and Space Exploration

In 2000, Bezos founded Blue Origin, an aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight company, to make space travel accessible and sustainable. Milestones include:

• 2015: First successful sub-orbital flight of the New Shepard spacecraft.
• 2021: Bezos personally flew to space aboard New Shepard on the NS-16 mission.
• Long-term goal: Enable humanity to live and work in space permanently.

Philanthropy and Investments

Bezos has made significant philanthropic contributions, often focusing on education, the environment, and innovation:

1. Bezos Earth Fund: Pledged $10 billion to combat climate change.
2. Day 1 Fund: Supports homeless families and early childhood education.
3. Investments: Through Bezos Expeditions, he has invested in companies like Google, Twitter, and Uber.

Personal Life

• Marriage to MacKenzie Scott: Married in 1993 and divorced in 2019. They have four children, including one adopted daughter from China.
• Relationship with Lauren Sánchez: Bezos has been in a relationship with the journalist and helicopter pilot since 2019.
• Hobbies and Interests: Passionate about space exploration, technology, and reading.

Recognition and Legacy

• Became the world’s richest person in 2017 and held the title until 2021.
• First centibillionaire on Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires Index (2018).
• Advocates for long-term thinking, evident in his funding of the 10,000-Year Clock.

Net Worth

As of January 2025, Bezos’s net worth stands at $251 billion, making him the second-richest person globally, according to Forbes and Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Jeff Bezos’s Vision

Jeff Bezos's legacy is defined by his relentless pursuit of innovation and his ability to transform industries. From revolutionizing e-commerce and cloud computing to pioneering space exploration, Bezos has left an indelible mark on modern society. His philosophy of customer obsession, long-term thinking, and willingness to innovate has set a standard for entrepreneurs worldwide.

References 

• Jeff Bezos Biography - how he started Amazon and more (2022) Entrepreneur. Available at: https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/jeff-bezos-biography-how-he-started-amazon-and-more/197608 (Accessed: 03 January 2025).
• jeff Bezos’ signature (no date a) SignHouse. Available at: https://usesignhouse.com/online-signature/jeff-bezos/ (Accessed: 03 January 2025).