Jeff Bezos is Ready to Toss Most of His Fortune on Good Causes (And Maybe Some 10‑Year‑Old Videos)
Amazon’s former boss, the guy who once owned the internet’s biggest shopping cart, announced to CNN that he’s basically going to “hand over the pile” of his $124 billion stash while he’s still alive.
What’s He Doing with It?
- He’s teaming up with journalist‑turned‑philanthropist Lauren Sanchez to build a giant giving‑machine—and that isn’t a metaphor for the drone tech they’re developing.
- He’s poured $10 billion into the Bezos Earth Fund to battle climate change, an initiative that’s got more scoops than a paparazzi crew at a G‑shout event.
- Dolly Parton got a $100 million award from the Bezos Courage & Civicility program, proving the billionaire can also fund folk‑song royalties and a few public statements.
Why Now?
After stepping down from Amazon in 2021, Bezos still leads the “Blue Skies” division via Blue Origin, owns shares in the Washington Post, and—thanks to his knack for drama—has the world’s attention for a second.
When asked if he’d reveal the exact amounts or timeline, he shrugged, “We’re getting the infrastructure in place.” Easy to say, but the number’s enough to make your bank account do a double‑take.
Bottom Line
The billionaire is going to become a one‑time, wealth‑shaking philanthropist, and if you’re hoping for a cameo in his itinerary, you might want to bring a selfie stick for the press conference.
