MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has further reduced her stake in Amazon by selling off $8 billion worth of shares. According to a recent filing on November 8, Scott sold 11% of her Amazon shares on September 30, highlighting her consistent approach to downsizing her Amazon holdings.
Scott, who received around 400 million Amazon shares in her 2019 divorce settlement, has now disposed of nearly two-thirds of her holdings, amounting to 255 million shares or approximately $37 billion in total disposals. This sustained sale of Amazon shares has placed Scott among the top five most generous living donors in the United States, with $17.3 billion donated to non-profit organizations thus far.
Currently, Scott’s net worth is estimated at $30 billion, down from $38 billion a week ago and significantly lower than her 2021 peak of $59 billion. If she had retained her Amazon shares, her wealth could have approached $82 billion, ranking her among the world’s top 20 wealthiest individuals and as the second-richest woman globally.
Despite her wealth, Scott’s philanthropic approach has attracted admiration due to its simplicity and direct impact. Scott updates her Yield Giving website periodically, detailing the grants she provides. For example, in 2024, she allocated $1.5 million to the Mni Sota Fund for urban Native communities in Minnesota, $10 million to Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs in Georgia, and $15 million to Coastal Enterprises in Maine, making it her second donation to the latter. These donations reflect Scott’s commitment to addressing various social issues across the U.S.
So far, Scott has pledged $17.3 billion to more than 2,300 organizations. Some of the remaining funds from her Amazon share sales are likely held in donor-advised accounts, supporting future charitable initiatives. She typically refrains from publicizing her donations unless requested by recipients, showcasing a reserved approach to philanthropy.
Scott’s Open Call initiative awarded $640 million to 361 organizations earlier this year, an example of her unrestricted cash grants, which often exceed an organization’s annual budget, making a transformative impact. Her contributions, including a $7 million donation to Village Enterprises last year, have helped raise the profile of many small organizations, leading to additional funding.
With her ongoing support and continued share sales, MacKenzie Scott is expected to keep driving meaningful change through her strategic philanthropic efforts.
