Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife, MacKenzie Bezos, has pledged to donate to charity half of the more than $35 billion she got from her divorce.
MacKenzie Bezos, 48, signed the Giving Pledge, which was started in 2010 by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. The pledge, which has been signed by more than 200 people, invites the ultra-wealthy to donate a majority of their fortunes to charity, either during their lifetime or in their wills.
“No drive has more positive ripple effects than the desire to be of service,” Bezos wrote in a letter posted to the Giving Pledge website. “We each come by the gifts we have to offer by an infinite series of influences and lucky breaks we can never fully understand. In addition to whatever assets life has nurtured in me, I have a disproportionate amount of money to share.”
Jeff Bezos announced the divorce in January after 25 years of marriage. The two have four children and Jeff Bezos said that despite divorcing, he and MacKenzie Bezos would continue to pursue “ventures and adventures” together.
Jeff Bezos, who has not signed the pledge, praised his ex-wife’s decision in a Tuesday Twitter post.
“MacKenzie is going to be amazing and thoughtful and effective at philanthropy, and I’m proud of her. Her letter is so beautiful. Go get ‘em MacKenzie,” Bezos said.
MacKenzie is going to be amazing and thoughtful and effective at philanthropy, and I’m proud of her. Her letter is so beautiful. Go get ‘em MacKenzie. https://t.co/S2gLLBQyRQ
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) May 28, 2019
Bezos’ pledge was announced alongside 18 other signatories. Buffett acknowledged the donors in a Tuesday press release.
“We are thrilled to welcome this year’s group of Giving Pledge signatories to the community, which has grown to more than 200 people in just nine years,” Buffett said.
