MacKenzie Scott is one of the most generous philanthropists in the world, having donated over $19 billion since 2020. As the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, she inherited a significant portion of his wealth and has used it to make a lasting impact on various causes.
Since her divorce from Bezos in 2019, Scott has reduced her stake in Amazon by about 42% and sold or donated around $12.6 billion worth of shares. Despite this, her net worth remains over $35 billion. In contrast, Bezos’ lifetime philanthropy amounts to just $4.1 billion, which is less than 2% of his net worth.
Scott’s philanthropic style is unique in that she makes gifts unrestricted, allowing organizations to use the funds as they see fit. This approach has been praised by those who have received her donations, including a $30 million gift to Housing Trust Silicon Valley. Her focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), education, and disaster relief reflects her commitment to addressing pressing social issues.
Scott’s writing emphasizes the importance of recognizing our role as active participants in shaping our communities. She believes that non-transactional contributions can be powerful assets and encourages others to join her in making a positive impact.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/11/07/mackenzie-scott-19-billion-charitable-donations-amazon-shares-net-worth