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 leading e-commerce and cloud computing giant. With a net worth exceeding $220 billion as of May 2025, Bezos holds the position of the third-wealthiest individual globally, according to Forbes. He previously held the title of the world's richest person from 2017 to 2021, as recognized by both Forbes and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
January 12, 1964: Jeffrey Preston Bezos Born
On January 12, 1964, Jeffrey Preston Bezos, born Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen, was born. He is known as the founder, executive chairman, and former president and CEO of Amazon.
June 1965: Parents File for Divorce
In June 1965, when Jeff was 17 months old, his parents, Jacklyn and Ted, filed for divorce.
April 1968: Mother Remarries and Jeff is Adopted
In April 1968, Bezos's mother married Miguel "Mike" Bezos, who adopted 4-year-old Jeff. Jeff's surname was legally changed from Jorgensen to Bezos.
1982: Attends Princeton University
After graduating from high school in 1982, Bezos attended Princeton University.
1982: High School Achievements
In 1982, Bezos attended the Student Science Training Program, was high school valedictorian, a National Merit Scholar, and a Silver Knight Award winner.
1982: High School Graduation Speech
In 1982, during his high school valedictorian senior graduation speech, Jeff Bezos expressed his vision for developing hotels, amusement parks, and colonies in orbit to preserve Earth's resources.
1986: Jobs After College
After Bezos graduated from college in 1986, he was offered jobs at Intel, Bell Labs, and Andersen Consulting, among others. He first worked at Fitel.
1986: Graduation from Princeton University
In 1986, Bezos graduated from Princeton University with a degree in engineering.
1988: Product Manager at Bankers Trust
In 1988, Bezos transitioned into the banking industry when he became a product manager at Bankers Trust.
1990: Works at D. E. Shaw & Co
From 1990, Bezos worked at D. E. Shaw & Co, a newly created hedge fund with a strong emphasis on mathematical modelling.
1992: Met 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.
July 5, 1994: Amazon Founded
On July 5, 1994, Bezos and his then-wife founded Amazon in a rented garage in Bellevue, Washington.
1994: Senior Vice-President at D. E. Shaw
By 1994, Bezos became D. E. Shaw's fourth senior vice-president by age 30.
1994: Moved to Seattle and founded Amazon
In 1994, Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Tuttle moved to Seattle, Washington, where Bezos founded Amazon.
1994: Foundation of Amazon
In mid-1994, Bezos founded Amazon during a road trip from New York City to Seattle.
1997: Became a millionaire
In 1997 Bezos first became a millionaire after raising $54 million through Amazon's IPO.
1999: Apartment purchase in Manhattan
In 1999, Jeff Bezos purchased three adjoining apartments at 25 Central Park West in Manhattan for $7.65 million.
1999: Included on Forbes World's Billionaires List
In 1999, Jeff Bezos was first included on the Forbes World's Billionaires list with an estimated net worth of $10.1 billion, placing him 19th in the world and 10th in the USA.
1999: Net Worth in 1999
In 1999, Jeff Bezos was worth $10 billion and drove a 1996 Honda Accord, despite his wealth.
2000: Bezos Found Blue Origin
In 2000, Bezos founded the aerospace manufacturer and sub-orbital spaceflight services company Blue Origin.
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 to buy for Blue Origin; he sustained only minor injuries and was discharged from a local hospital the same day.
2005: Net worth increasing
From 2005 to 2007, Bezos quadrupled his net worth to $8.7 billion.
2007: Net worth increasing
From 2005 to 2007, Bezos quadrupled his net worth to $8.7 billion.
2008: Net worth decreasing
After the 2008 financial crisis and Great Recession, Bezos's net worth decreased to $6.8 billion—a 17.7% drop.
2009: Bezos donates to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Between 2009 and 2017, Jeff Bezos donated to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center several times.
2010: Net worth increased
In 2010, Bezos's wealth rose by 85.2%, leaving him with $12.6 billion and ascending him to the 43rd spot on the ranking from 68th.
2012: Supported same-sex marriage legalization
In 2012, Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Bezos supported the legalization of same-sex marriage and contributed $2.5 million to Washington United for Marriage.
2012: Apartment purchase in Manhattan
In 2012, Jeff Bezos bought a fourth unit at 25 Central Park West in Manhattan for $5.3 million.
May 2013: Meeting with Richard Branson
In May 2013, Jeff Bezos met with Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Galactic, to discuss opportunities and strategies in commercial spaceflight.
2013: Purchase of The Washington Post
In 2013, Bezos purchased the major American newspaper The Washington Post for $250 million.
2013: Bezos pledges money to Worldreader
In 2013, Jeff Bezos pledged $500,000 to Worldreader, a non-profit founded by a former Amazon employee.
2014: Rumor of Smartphone Development
In 2014, after a rumor broke out that Amazon was developing a smartphone, Jeff Bezos's net worth rose to $30.5 billion.
March 2016: Net Worth Registered
By the time the Forbes list was calculated in March 2016, Bezos' net worth was registered at $45.2 billion.
October 2016: Wealth Increased
In October 2016, Bezos' wealth increased by $16.2 billion to $66.5 billion, unofficially ranking him the third-richest person in the world, behind Warren Buffett.
2016: Invited to join Trump's 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: Journalists Visit Blue Origin Facility
In 2016, Jeff Bezos allowed select journalists to tour and photograph Blue Origin's facility, increasing public awareness of the company's work. He also called for increased inter-space energy and industrial manufacturing to decrease the negative costs associated with business-related pollution.
2016: Portrayed Starfleet official in Star Trek Beyond
In 2016, Jeff Bezos portrayed a Starfleet official in the movie Star Trek Beyond, and joined the cast and crew at a San Diego Comic-Con screening.
May 2017: Bezos donates to Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
In May 2017, Jeff Bezos gave $1 million to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which provides pro bono legal services for American journalists.
June 15, 2017: Bezos asks for philanthropy ideas on Twitter
On June 15, 2017, Jeff Bezos posted a message on Twitter asking for ideas for philanthropy, reflecting on a strategy opposite to his focus on the long term. At the time, his lifetime spending on charitable causes was estimated to be $100 million.
July 2017: Briefly Unseated Bill Gates
In July 2017, after sporadic jumps in Amazon's share price, Jeff Bezos briefly unseated Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates as the wealthiest person in the world.
2017: Bezos donates to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Between 2009 and 2017, Jeff Bezos donated to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center several times.
January 2018: Bezos donates to TheDream.US
In January 2018, Jeff Bezos made a $33 million donation to TheDream.US, a college scholarship fund for undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as minors.
March 2018: Dispatch to India with $5.5 Billion
In March 2018, Bezos dispatched Amit Agarwal, Amazon's global senior vice president, to India with $5.5 billion to localize operations throughout the company's supply chain routes.
March 2018: Bezos meets with Mohammad bin Salman to discuss Saudi Vision 2030
In March 2018, Jeff Bezos met in Seattle with Mohammad bin Salman, the crown prince and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, to discuss investment opportunities for Saudi Vision 2030.
June 2018: Bezos donates to Breakthrough Energy Ventures
In June 2018, Jeff Bezos donated to Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a private philanthropic fund founded by Bill Gates aimed at promoting emissions-free energy.
July 2018: Richest Man in Modern History
In July 2018, Bezos was named the "richest man in modern history" after his net worth increased to $150 billion.
September 2018: Bezos commits approximately $2 billion to deal with American homelessness and establish a network of non-profit preschools
In September 2018, Jeff Bezos announced that he would commit approximately $2 billion to a fund to deal with American homelessness and establish a network of non-profit preschools for low income communities. He committed to establishing the "Day 1 Families Fund" to finance "night shelters and day care centers for homeless families" and the "Day 1 Academies Fund" for early childhood education.
September 2018: Bezos donates to With Honor
In September 2018, Jeff Bezos donated $10 million to With Honor, a nonpartisan organization that works to increase the number of veterans in political office.
September 2018: Bezos not signed to Giving Pledge, questions about Day 1 Fund
In September 2018, it was reported that Jeff Bezos was the only one of the top five billionaires in the world who had not signed the Giving Pledge. Questions arose about Bezos's new Day 1 Fund, including the fund's structure and how exactly it would be funded.
2018: Recalls Giving Up Physics Dream
In 2018, Bezos revealed that his Princeton classmate defeated him in solving a mathematical problem, leading him to give up his dreams of becoming a theoretical physicist.
January 2019: Announced divorce from MacKenzie
In January 2019, Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie released a joint statement revealing that they would be getting divorced after 25 years together.
April 4, 2019: Divorce finalized
On April 4, 2019, Jeff Bezos' divorce was finalized, with him keeping 75% of the couple's Amazon stock and MacKenzie getting the remaining 25% ($35.6 billion).
June 2019: Purchased apartments in Manhattan
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: Wealth reduced by divorce
In 2019, Jeff Bezos's wealth was reduced by the divorce from his wife MacKenzie Bezos. She eventually received 25% of Bezos's Amazon shares, then valued at approximately $36 billion, making her the third-richest woman in the world.
February 2020: Bezos pledges to combat climate change through the Bezos Earth Fund
In February 2020, Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion to combat climate change through the Bezos Earth Fund.
February 2020: Purchased Warner Estate
In February 2020, Jeff Bezos purchased the Warner Estate from David Geffen for $165 million, a record price paid for a residence in the Los Angeles area.
April 2020: Bezos donates to food banks
In April 2020, early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeff Bezos donated $100 million to food banks through Feeding America.
August 2020: Net Worth Exceeds $200 Billion
In August 2020, according to Forbes, Bezos had a net worth exceeding $200 billion.
July 5, 2021: Steps Down as CEO of Amazon
On July 5, 2021, Bezos stepped down as the CEO and president of Amazon and took over the role of executive chairman. Andy Jassy succeeded Bezos as the CEO and president of Amazon.
July 2021: Bezos announces the Courage and Civility Award
In July 2021, Jeff Bezos announced the Courage and Civility Award and donated $100 million each to lawyer Van Jones and chef José Andrés.
July 20, 2021: Bezos Launches 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. The suborbital flight lasted over 10 minutes, reaching a peak altitude of 66.5 miles.
November 2021: Bezos pledges to donate to food systems and nature conservation
In November 2021, Jeff Bezos pledged to donate $2 billion towards restructuring food systems and nature conservation at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
November 22, 2021: Donated to the 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, focusing on Blue Origin, and being engaged to Lauren Sánchez.
February 2022: Purchased apartment across from Madison Square Park
In February 2022, Jeff Bezos expanded his residential holdings, purchasing a $16.13 million apartment at a 24-story boutique condominium located across from Madison Square Park.
November 22, 2022: Bezos awards millions to organizations relocating homeless families
On November 22, 2022, Jeff Bezos awarded $123 million to organizations that are engaged in relocating homeless families to permanent housing. Day 1 Families Fund grants will be sent to 40 organizations across the country.
May 2023: Engaged with Lauren Sánchez
In May 2023, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez became engaged.
2023: Bezos becomes a resident of Indian Creek, Florida
In 2023, Jeff Bezos became a resident of Indian Creek, Florida, an area near Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.
March 2024: Bezos donates to Eva Longoria and Bill McRaven
In March 2024, Jeff Bezos donated $50 million each to actress Eva Longoria and retired admiral Bill McRaven.
July 2024: Bezos has a private phone conversation with Donald Trump
In July 2024, Jeff Bezos held a private phone conversation with then-candidate Donald Trump, which started a "Bezos–Trump alliance" months before Bezos blocked the Washington Post's editorial board from endorsing Kamala Harris in the election.
2024: Bezos works to have a positive relationship with Trump
According to the Financial Times, in 2024, Jeff Bezos worked to have a positive relationship with Donald Trump during Trump's second term to further his business interests, and supports many of Trump's policies.
February 2025: Bezos dines with Trump and announces changes to Washington Post's opinion policies
In February 2025, Jeff Bezos reportedly met for dinner with Donald Trump, and on the same night announced changes to the Washington Post's opinion policies to promote "free markets and personal liberties."
June 27, 2025: Married Lauren Sánchez
On June 27, 2025, Jeff Bezos married Lauren Sánchez in Venice, with the ceremony attracting mainstream media attention and various celebrities.
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