Jeffrey Preston Bezos, born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the founder of Amazon and one of the richest individuals in the world. He was born to a teenage mother, Jacklyn Gise Jorgensen, and his biological father, Ted Jorgensen. When Jeff was four, his mother married Cuban immigrant Miguel Bezos, who adopted him and gave him his surname. Jeff spent most of his childhood in Houston, Texas, and Miami, Florida. From a young age, Bezos demonstrated a passion for science and technology, often tinkering with electrical gadgets and inventing things around the house.
Bezos attended Miami Palmetto Senior High School, where he excelled academically and was a high-achiever in extracurricular activities. He went on to attend Princeton University, graduating in 1986 with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science. During his time at Princeton, Bezos was elected to the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society. After college, he worked in various roles at tech and finance companies on Wall Street, including a notable stint at D.E. Shaw, where he became the youngest senior vice president at the age of 30.
Despite his successful corporate career, Bezos left his job in 1994 to pursue his own business venture, which would become Amazon. He started Amazon from his garage in Seattle, originally as an online bookstore, but he quickly realized the potential of the internet to revolutionize commerce. Under Bezos’ leadership, Amazon grew into one of the largest companies in the world, expanding into multiple industries, including cloud computing, media, and consumer electronics.
Cars Owned by Jeff Bezos
Despite his immense wealth, Jeff Bezos has been known for his relatively modest choice of cars for many years. Early in his career, Bezos famously drove a 1996 Honda Accord, which he was often seen in well after Amazon had become a multi-billion-dollar company. This car symbolized Bezos’ pragmatic approach to business and life in the early days of Amazon, and it became a part of his personal mythology as an entrepreneur who preferred to focus on business rather than luxury.
As Bezos’ wealth grew, his car collection expanded to include more luxury and high-performance vehicles. Among the more expensive cars in his collection is a Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio, a rare sports car produced in limited quantities. Additionally, he is said to own a Lamborghini Veneno Roadster, a hypercar known for its unique design and speed. Bezos also reportedly owns a Bugatti Veyron Mansory, a symbol of ultra-luxury and one of the fastest cars in the world.
Houses Owned by Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos has a vast real estate portfolio, owning several high-end properties across the United States. One of his most notable homes is a $165 million estate in Beverly Hills, which he purchased in 2020 from media mogul David Geffen. This luxurious property sits on nine acres and includes multiple guest houses, a tennis court, a swimming pool, and a golf course. The estate is known for its historical significance and expansive grounds, making it one of the most expensive homes ever sold in California.
Bezos also owns a 26,900-square-foot mansion in Medina, Washington, located near Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle. This estate overlooks Lake Washington and includes 310 feet of private shoreline. Additionally, Bezos has invested in property in Manhattan, New York, where he owns multiple apartments in a historic building on Fifth Avenue. He also purchased a historic textile museum in Washington, D.C., which he converted into a massive private residence. These properties reflect his status as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world and his penchant for exclusive real estate.
How Jeff Bezos Made His Money
Jeff Bezos’ wealth stems primarily from his role as the founder of Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer. In 1994, Bezos left his well-paying job at D.E. Shaw to start Amazon, originally conceived as an online bookstore. With the rise of the internet in the mid-1990s, Bezos saw an opportunity to revolutionize how people shopped. He launched Amazon from his garage in Seattle, and it quickly grew in popularity, expanding its offerings beyond books to include electronics, clothing, toys, and virtually every other consumer product.
Amazon’s success was driven by its innovative approach to e-commerce, focusing on customer satisfaction, low prices, and a wide selection of products. In 1997, the company went public, and its stock price steadily climbed as Amazon diversified its business model. Bezos spearheaded the creation of Amazon Web Services (AWS), which is now one of the largest cloud computing platforms in the world. AWS alone generates billions of dollars in revenue annually and is a major contributor to Bezos’ wealth. The company also expanded into media through Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Studios, and the acquisition of Whole Foods Market in 2017.
Another major source of Bezos’ income comes from his stake in Blue Origin, a space exploration company he founded in 2000. Blue Origin focuses on developing technologies to enable private space travel, and Bezos has often spoken about his long-term vision for humanity to colonize space. Blue Origin has made significant strides in reusable rocket technology, and its commercial space flights have attracted significant media attention. Although not as lucrative as Amazon, Blue Origin represents a key aspect of Bezos’ future-oriented investments.
Bezos has also diversified his wealth through personal investments. He was one of the early investors in Google, and his portfolio includes stakes in several other successful tech companies and startups. In addition, Bezos owns The Washington Post, which he purchased in 2013 for $250 million. Under his ownership, the newspaper has expanded its digital presence and increased its profitability.
Over the years, Bezos has sold billions of dollars worth of Amazon stock to fund his other ventures, including Blue Origin and real estate acquisitions. However, the majority of his wealth remains tied to Amazon, where he still holds a significant share of the company’s stock despite stepping down as CEO in 2021 to focus on other projects. Today, Amazon continues to grow, particularly in sectors like artificial intelligence, robotics, and global logistics.
Net Worth According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index
As of today, Jeff Bezos’ net worth is estimated to be $212 billion. His wealth fluctuates based on Amazon’s stock performance, but he consistently ranks among the richest people in the world.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Jeffrey Preston Bezos |
| Date of Birth | January 12, 1964 |
| Marital Status | Divorced (Mackenzie Scott) |
| Number of Siblings | 3 (Mark Bezos, Christina Bezos) |
| Number and Name of Children | 4 children (names not publicly disclosed) |
| Occupation | Founder of Amazon, Blue Origin, Owner of The Washington Post |
| Net Worth | $212 billion |