Six years after finalizing her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has emerged as one of the most influential figures in the world of charitable giving. The dissolution of their marriage in 2019 resulted in Scott receiving an estimated $36 billion in assets, setting the stage for her to redefine modern philanthropy.
At 54, Scott has since donated over $19 billion to more than 2,000 nonprofit organizations, according to a comprehensive three-year study by the Center for Effective Philanthropy. The report, released in February, emphasized the overwhelmingly positive impact of her substantial, unrestricted contributions, stating that it may take decades to fully assess their long-term effects on the nonprofit sector.
Scott’s philanthropic journey began in earnest following her divorce. While Bezos retained 75% of the couple’s Amazon shares—representing around 12% of the company—Scott maintained approximately 4%. In public statements following the split, both expressed appreciation for the support they received and shared intentions to remain amicable co-parents to their four children.
In 2021, Scott remarried Dan Jewett, a former science teacher based in Seattle. However, their marriage concluded in early 2023. Meanwhile, Bezos has since become engaged to former broadcaster Lauren Sánchez, with wedding plans reportedly underway.
Throughout these personal transitions, Scott’s commitment to charitable work has only deepened. In one of her most recent philanthropic endeavors, she awarded $640 million to 361 nonprofit organizations. These recipients were chosen from a pool of more than 6,000 applicants and were commended for their dedication to uplifting marginalized communities and promoting equity.
In 2019, Scott joined the Giving Pledge, a commitment by the world’s wealthiest individuals to donate the majority of their fortunes. In her accompanying letter, she emphasized her belief in the importance of timely, thoughtful generosity and expressed her intent to continue giving until “the safe is empty.”
Today, Scott’s estimated net worth stands at $28.2 billion. Her giving philosophy—focused on empowering grassroots organizations and emphasizing trust over control—continues to shape conversations around effective philanthropy and the ethical responsibility of wealth.
