Scott solidifies her reputation as one of the world’s most charitable billionaires.

MacKenzie Scott is known for her mass charitable actions since her divorce from Bezos (Greg Doherty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has unveiled details about her incredible philanthropic efforts in 2024, donating approximately $2 billion to 199 organizations. This donation is just one part of the broader giving strategy that has defined Scott’s life since her divorce in 2019.

Scott remains still one of the richest people in the world despite giving away billions of her fortune (Jorg Carstensen/dpa/AFP via Getty Images)

A Commitment to Charitable Giving

Scott, who received a significant settlement of Amazon stock during her divorce, has consistently used her fortune to fund initiatives aimed at creating economic opportunity and security. According to her blog on Yield Giving, the donations this year totaled $2,004,400,000.

The couple divorced in 2019 (Toni Anne Barson/Getty Images)

Her giving focuses on nonprofits tackling critical issues like affordable housing, education, healthcare, and job stability. Approximately 75% of her contributions in 2024 targeted economic mobility for people in need.

The couple were married for 25 years (Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage/Getty Images)

Scott’s Unique Approach to Philanthropy

Rather than making large contributions to a few major organizations, Scott prioritizes smaller, impactful donations to a wide array of nonprofits. This strategy brings attention to underserved communities and organizations that often go unnoticed by traditional philanthropy.

Founder Mode: Jeff Bezos once threatened to spend every penny Amazon had on a Kindle project when his CFO tried to reign him in.
CFO: “Jeff, we only have so much money.”
Jeff: “How much is that? I might want to spend it.”
— Ethan Evans (@EthanEvansVP) September 10, 2024

Her blog post not only lists the 199 recipients of her donations but also provides direct links to encourage further support from others. Scott’s approach has inspired additional giving, amplifying the impact of her donations.

Bezos' status as founder still didn't let him take some riskier decisions (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Balancing Wealth and Generosity

Despite her extensive giving, Scott remains one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Her current net worth stands at approximately $40.3 billion, ranking her 39th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Scott’s fortune is largely tied to her remaining 139 million Amazon shares, valued at around $30.7 billion. Given her track record, it’s likely she’ll sell off more of these shares to continue funding her charitable work.

Jeff Bezos posted the advert all the way back in 1994 (Usenet)

A Legacy of Generosity

Since her divorce, Scott has donated roughly $19.3 billion, aligning with her 2019 pledge to give away at least half her wealth. She signed the Giving Pledge, joining other billionaires like Bill and Melinda Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and George Lucas in committing to significant philanthropic contributions.

Amazon has come a long way from starting in Bezos' garage (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor / Getty)

In her words, Scott views her wealth as an opportunity to create meaningful change:

“We each come by the gifts we have to offer through an infinite series of influences and lucky breaks. I have a disproportionate amount of money to share, and my approach to philanthropy will continue to be thoughtful, taking time, effort, and care.”

Looking Ahead

MacKenzie Scott’s actions highlight the transformative potential of wealth when paired with intention and compassion. Her continued focus on empowering underserved communities ensures her legacy as a trailblazer in philanthropy, using her resources to foster change on a global scale.

Featured image credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor / Getty / Michael M. Santiago / Toni Anne Barson / Jorg Carstensen / dpa / AFP via Getty Images / Greg Doherty / Patrick McMullan via Getty Images