Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is said to have a net worth of $124 billion. In an interview with CNN, he promises to donate a large part of it during his lifetime. He has his sights set on people who are fighting climate change and helping people in need.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says he plans to give away most of his $124 billion net worth during his lifetime. In an interview with CNN, he stated that he will devote most of his wealth to fighting climate change and supporting people who can unite humanity in the face of deep social and political divisions.
Though Bezos’ promise was vague, it’s the first time the entrepreneur has announced he’ll give away most of his money. Critics previously chided Bezos for not signing the Giving Pledge, a pledge made by hundreds of the world’s richest people to donate most of their wealth to charity. Among the donors are Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and MacKenzie Scott, Bezos’ ex-wife.
In the interview at his Washington, D.C. home, Bezos said he and his partner, journalist and philanthropist Lauren Sanchez, wanted to build the capacity “to be able to give that money away.” When asked directly if he intends to donate most of his wealth while he is still alive, Bezos said, “Yes, I do.”
Bezos said he and Sánchez agreed to their first interview together since meeting in 2019 to spotlight the Bezos Courage and Civility Award. This year, the $100 million award went to country icon Dolly Parton. It’s the third award of its kind, after similar donations to chef Jose Andrés, who used some of the money to help prepare meals for Ukrainians, and climate advocate and CNN contributor Van Jones.
