Early Life and Education of Jeff Bezos: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Jeff Bezos, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Jeff Bezos is an American businessman renowned as the founder, executive chairman, and former CEO of Amazon, a global leader in e-commerce and cloud computing. As of May 2025, his estimated net worth is $220.9 billion, ranking him as the third-richest person worldwide, after holding the top position from 2017 to 2021.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

January 12, 1964: Jeffrey Preston Bezos Born

On January 12, 1964, Jeffrey Preston Bezos (né Jorgensen) was born. He is known as the founder, executive chairman, and former president and CEO of Amazon.

Others born on this day/year

June 1965: Jacklyn Files for Divorce

In June 1965, when Jeff Bezos was 17 months old, his mother, Jacklyn, filed for divorce from Ted.

April 1968: Mike Bezos Adoption

In April 1968, after his parents divorced, Jeff Bezos's mother married Miguel "Mike" Bezos, who adopted 4-year-old Jeff. Jeff's surname was then legally changed from Jorgensen to Bezos.

1982: Attended Princeton University

After graduating from high school in 1982, Bezos attended Princeton University, where he initially majored in physics but later switched to electrical engineering and computer science.

1982: Awards and Speech

In 1982, Bezos was high school valedictorian, a National Merit Scholar, and a Silver Knight Award winner. In his graduation speech, Bezos spoke of his dream to colonize space.

1982: High school graduation speech

In 1982, during his high school valedictorian speech, Jeff Bezos expressed his vision for human life in the Solar System, including hotels, amusement parks, and colonies in orbit, driven by a desire to preserve Earth.

1986: Graduation from Princeton University

In 1986, Jeff Bezos graduated from Princeton University with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science.

1992: Meeting MacKenzie Tuttle

In 1992, while working for D. E. Shaw in Manhattan, Jeff Bezos met novelist MacKenzie Tuttle, who was a research associate at the firm.

1994: Move to Seattle and Founding of Amazon

In 1994, Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Tuttle moved to Seattle, Washington, where Bezos founded Amazon.

1996: Bezos drove a Honda Accord

In 1996, Jeff Bezos drove a Honda Accord.

1999: Purchase of Apartments at 25 Central Park West

In 1999, Jeff Bezos purchased three adjoining apartments at 25 Central Park West in Manhattan for $7.65 million.

1999: Bezos's net worth

In 1999, Jeff Bezos was worth $10 billion yet drove a 1996 Honda Accord.

March 2003: Helicopter Crash in West Texas

In March 2003, Jeff Bezos was a passenger in a helicopter that crashed in West Texas while surveying land for Blue Origin. All occupants survived, and Bezos sustained minor injuries.

2010: Donation Against Washington State Income Tax

In 2010, Jeff Bezos donated $100,000 towards a movement against a Washington state income tax for "top earners".

2012: Support for Same-Sex Marriage Legalization

In 2012, Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Bezos contributed $2.5 million to Washington United for Marriage, supporting a yes vote on Washington Referendum 74, which affirmed a same-sex marriage law in the state.

2012: Purchase of Fourth Unit in Manhattan

In 2012, Jeff Bezos bought a fourth unit at 25 Central Park West in Manhattan for $5.3 million, adding to his existing holdings there.

May 2013: Meeting with Richard Branson

In May 2013, Jeff Bezos met with Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic to discuss commercial spaceflight opportunities and strategies.

2016: Invitation to Defense Innovation Advisory Board

After the 2016 presidential election, Jeff Bezos was invited to join Donald Trump's Defense Innovation Advisory Board, an advisory council to improve the technology used by the Defense Department.

2016: Star Trek Beyond Cameo

In 2016, Jeff Bezos portrayed a Starfleet official in the movie Star Trek Beyond, attending a San Diego Comic-Con screening.

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March 2018: Bezos Meets with Mohammad bin Salman

In March 2018, Jeff Bezos met with Mohammad bin Salman in Seattle to discuss investment opportunities for Saudi Vision 2030.

2018: Giving up his dreams

In 2018, Bezos revealed that his Princeton classmate defeated him in solving a mathematical problem, causing him to give up on his dreams of becoming a theoretical physicist.

January 2019: Divorce Announcement and Affair Revelation

In January 2019, Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie released a joint statement revealing they would be getting divorced after 25 years together. Subsequently, National Enquirer revealed that Bezos had an affair with Lauren Sánchez.

February 7, 2019: Accusations of Extortion and Blackmail

On February 7, 2019, Jeff Bezos accused American Media, Inc. owner David Pecker of "extortion and blackmail" for threatening to publish intimate photos of him and Lauren Sánchez if he did not stop his investigation into how his text messages and other photos had been leaked to the National Enquirer.

April 4, 2019: Divorce Finalized

On April 4, 2019, Jeff Bezos's divorce was finalized, with him keeping 75% of the couple's Amazon stock and MacKenzie getting the remaining 25% ($35.6 billion).

June 2019: Purchase of Manhattan Apartments

In June 2019, Jeff Bezos purchased three adjoining apartments overlooking Madison Square Park in Manhattan, including a penthouse, for a combined total of $80 million, making this one of the most expensive real estate purchases within New York City in 2019.

2019: Divorce and Wealth Reduction

In 2019, Jeff Bezos's wealth was reduced due to his divorce from MacKenzie Bezos, who received 25% of his Amazon shares, valued at approximately $36 billion.

2019: Expenditure in Seattle City Council Election

In 2019, a PAC linked to Jeff Bezos spent over $1 million in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat the reelection bid of Seattle city council member and activist Kshama Sawant.

February 2020: Purchase of Warner Estate

In February 2020, Jeff Bezos purchased the Warner Estate from David Geffen for $165 million, setting a record price paid for a residence in the Los Angeles area.

July 20, 2021: Bezos Launched on NS-16 Mission

On July 20, 2021, Jeff Bezos launched on the NS-16 mission with his half-brother Mark Bezos, Wally Funk, and Oliver Daemen, nine days after Richard Branson's flight. The suborbital flight lasted over 10 minutes.

November 22, 2021: $100 Million Donation to Obama Foundation

On November 22, 2021, Jeff Bezos donated $100 million to the Obama Foundation to "help expand the scope of programming that reaches emerging leaders", and requested the Obama Presidential Center's plaza to be named after John Lewis.

2021: Bezos Steps Down as CEO of Amazon

In 2021, Jeff Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon and focused on Blue Origin and his engagement to Lauren Sánchez, which may have influenced his political views.

February 2022: Purchase of Apartment in Flatiron Neighborhood

In February 2022, Jeff Bezos expanded his residential holdings by purchasing a $16.13-million-dollar apartment in the Flatiron neighborhood, where he already owns all the units on the top floors.