Jeff Bezos to donate his $124 billion net worth to “fighting climate change and unify humanity in the face of deep social and political divisions”

On July 7, 2021, Jeff Bezos stepped down as Amazon’s CEO, the company he founded in a home garage in 1994. Following the announcement, Bezos said he planned to spend the rest of his time on passion projects like his space company Blue Origin, Washington Post, and philanthropic efforts.

In an email to Amazon employees, whom he also called Amazonians, Bezos said, “As Exec Chair I will stay engaged in important Amazon initiatives but also have the time and energy I need to focus on the Day 1 Fund, the Bezos Earth Fund, Blue Origin, The Washington Post, and my other passions.”

Since his resignation as Amazon CEO, Bezos has kept to his promise and donated billions of dollars to many global causes including climate change and social justice. As we reported back in December 2021, Bezos promised $1 billion to conservation efforts as part of the Bezos Earth Fund to help combat climate change.

The pledge is part of the Bezos Earth Fund, a $10 billion fund he launched in February 2020 designed to invest in scientists, activists, and other organizations to combat the effects of climate change and help preserve and protect the world. In the coming years, Bezos said the fund plans to support efforts around landscape restoration and food system transportation.

Fast forward almost a year later. Bezos announced on Friday that he is going to be donating his $100+ billion net worth to “fighting climate change and supporting people who can unify humanity in the face of deep social and political divisions,” he said during an interview on CNN.

Bezos is estimated to be worth $124 billion. He said he would give it all away during his lifetime, the New York Times reported.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon who is estimated to be worth $124 billion, said that he would give away most of his money to charity, making him the latest billionaire to pledge to donate his vast fortune during his lifetime.https://t.co/hqDG3WCbv6

— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 14, 2022

On Sunday, Bezos also announced a new Courage and Civility award recipient “Dolly Parton, who leads with her heart, and will put this $100 million award to great use helping so many people.”

We’ve just announced a new Courage and Civility award recipient — @DollyParton, who leads with her heart, and will put this $100 million award to great use helping so many people. She joins prior awardees, @VanJones68 and @Chefjoseandres. Congrats, Dolly! pic.twitter.com/dzTuoGVp3G

— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) November 12, 2022

The $100 award was in addition to the $711 million donation the Bezos family made to the Cancer Center in Seattle
over the next decade to help Fred Hutch recruit researchers and build a new facility.

The Hutch is going to do incredible things with this.https://t.co/m3BKYhKwr9

— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) October 12, 2022