MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has significantly reduced her stake in the e-commerce behemoth by approximately 42%, equating to around $12.6 billion, over the last year. According to a regulatory filing dated September 30 that was accessed by Bloomberg, Scott now retains 81.1 million shares, a substantial decrease of 58 million shares compared to the same period last year.
Now 55, Scott has gained recognition for her philanthropic efforts, having donated over $19 billion since her divorce from Bezos in 2019. She has committed herself to giving away a significant portion of her wealth, emphasizing her unique approach to philanthropy. Unlike many of her billionaire counterparts who often make high-profile donations to well-known charities, Scott has chosen to support smaller nonprofits without imposing restrictions on the recipients or demanding extensive reporting requirements.
In her philanthropic journey, Scott contributed $2 billion to 199 organizations last year alone, as detailed on her Yield Giving website. Her commitment to unencumbered giving starkly contrasts with the practices of many wealthy donors, making her a standout figure in the realm of philanthropy.
Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos now owns about 9% of Amazon after divesting over 100 million shares within the past year. His net worth stands at approximately $230.2 billion, while Scott’s wealth is estimated at around $32.5 billion, according to Forbes. Following their divorce, Scott received about 4% of Amazon, and since then, she has benefited from the stock’s impressive rise of about 150%.
Despite their separation, Bezos retains final approval over any of Scott’s changes to her Amazon holdings, and both are obligated to publicly disclose their annual sales. It is worth noting that experts have speculated that during their divorce—amid an apparent lack of a prenup—Scott may have opted not to pursue a larger share of their combined Amazon stake, potentially to avoid unsettling investors and impacting the company’s stock value.
Scott’s significant charitable contributions and her approach to philanthropy not only highlight her commitment to impactful giving but also set a precedent for how wealth can be utilized for social good.