Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and the fourth-richest person globally, has pledged to donate the majority of his fortune to charity during his lifetime. In an interview with CNN, the billionaire revealed that he plans to direct his wealth toward combating climate change and supporting those who can help unite humanity amidst growing social and political divides.
Bezos, whose net worth stands at $123.9 billion, has seen a significant dip in his fortune this year, losing nearly $70 billion. However, over the past decade, his wealth has ballooned as Amazon surged ahead of its competitors.
For years, Bezos faced criticism for not joining the Giving Pledge, a commitment by many of the world’s wealthiest individuals to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes. Instead, he focused on growing Amazon and his space exploration company, Blue Origin.
However, since stepping down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021, Bezos has ramped up his charitable efforts. He has committed billions to various causes, including a $10 billion Earth Fund to fight climate change. His contributions also include a $200 million donation to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and a $100 million gift to music icon Dolly Parton, which she can allocate to any charity she chooses.
Additionally, Bezos has shown interest in purchasing the Washington Commanders, the NFL team, potentially with music mogul Jay-Z as an investor. His growing commitment to philanthropy and high-profile charitable donations marks a significant shift in his focus as he transitions from tech mogul to philanthropist.
