Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, ranks among the world's wealthiest individuals. However, the two women closest to him—his former spouse, MacKenzie Scott, and his present wife, Lauren Sánchez—are the ones creating seismic waves with his fortune. Their approaches to philanthropy are distinct, powerful, and capturing global attention, proving that the legacy of Bezos' wealth is being shaped decisively by these women.
MacKenzie Scott: The Unrestrained Philanthropist
If charitable giving were a competitive arena, MacKenzie Scott would be setting an unmatched pace. Since her divorce from Jeff Bezos was finalised in April 2019, Scott has transformed her settlement into a force for good. From that split, she received a 25 percent stake in Amazon, valued then at a staggering $38 billion, instantly making her one of the planet's richest people.
Here is where her story takes a remarkable turn. Scott walked away with nearly 4% of Amazon, equating to roughly 139 million shares. Instead of holding onto this wealth, she has actively liquidated a significant portion to fund her philanthropic mission. To date, she has sold 42% of her initial stake. The proceeds from approximately 58 million shares, worth about $12.6 billion, have been channeled directly into charitable causes.
Despite this massive outflow, her net worth remains formidable, estimated at $35.6 billion as of late 2025, buoyed by Amazon's rising stock price. Her primary vehicle for this giving is Yield Giving, established in 2022. Scott's style is characterised by speed, scale, and a revolutionary lack of conditions.
She has distributed more than $19 billion to thousands of organisations across the United States since 2020. Her grants support a wide range of focuses, including education, disaster relief, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Some of her eye-popping donations include $80 million to Howard University, $70 million to the UNCF, $60 million to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, and $40 million to the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. The defining feature? Her grants come with zero restrictions, allowing organisations to spend the funds as they see fit—a radical, de-bureaucratised approach to philanthropy.
Lauren Sánchez: Championing Strategic, Foundation-Led Change
In contrast, Jeff Bezos' current partner, Lauren Sánchez, is steering the couple's present-day wealth through a more traditional, foundation-based model with a sharp strategic focus. Her philanthropic efforts are prominently centred on combating homelessness in America.
During a high-profile appearance on Good Morning America, Sánchez detailed the work of the Day 1 Family Fund. This initiative represents a long-term commitment to move families out of homelessness and into stable, supportive housing. For the year 2025 alone, Sánchez and Bezos have committed $102.5 million in new grants. This funding supports 32 non-profit organisations spread across 20 states, Washington D.C., and even Guam.
Major beneficiaries include the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center in San Francisco, Care Resource Community Health Centers in Miami, and Union Station Homeless Services in California—each receiving a substantial $5 million grant. Sánchez emphasised that this is merely the start, noting the fund is part of a broader $2 billion pledge the couple is in the process of distributing. The momentum is strong, evidenced by the $110.5 million distributed across 23 states in the preceding year.
One Fortune, Two Legacies Reshaping the World
The stark contrast between the two women's methods has become a topic of intense discussion. MacKenzie Scott operates with explosive independence, offloading her Amazon-derived wealth at a breathtaking pace. Lauren Sánchez, meanwhile, is strategically directing Bezos' current resources into a sustained, foundation-driven campaign against a specific societal ill: homelessness.
What unites them is the monumental scale of their impact. Both are moving billions of dollars with an efficiency and speed that even large government programmes can struggle to match. While Jeff Bezos himself sits on a personal fortune valued at $245.3 billion—making him the world's fourth-richest person—it is the women beside him who are actively deploying these resources to address urgent global and national challenges.
Their differing styles—one ultra-independent and unrestricted, the other collaborative and targeted—are collectively reshaping what the legacy of one of history's greatest fortunes will be. The narrative is clear: the real-world power of Bezos' billions is being exercised not solely by the man who amassed them, but powerfully and purposefully by MacKenzie Scott and Lauren Sánchez.
