When you think about big names in the tech world, Jeff Bezos is one of the first that comes to mind. He’s the man behind Amazon, one of the world’s biggest companies. But his story isn’t just about money or business. It’s about how one person with a bold idea and a lot of determination changed the way people shop, read, and even think about space.
Let’s dive into the life and work of Jeff Bezos, how he started, what he built, and what he’s doing today.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Education
Jeff Bezos was born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His mother, Jacklyn, was just a teenager when he was born. His biological father, Ted Jorgensen, wasn’t part of his life for long. When Jeff was four years old, his mom married Miguel Bezos, who adopted him and gave him the last name “Bezos.”
Even as a kid, Jeff loved learning and building things. He was the kind of kid who would turn his garage into a workshop. His family later moved to Miami, Florida, where he went to Miami Palmetto High School. He was a great student and even became a National Merit Scholar.
After high school, Jeff went to Princeton University. He studied computer science and electrical engineering and graduated in 1986. His education gave him the tools he needed to start his big ideas.
Starting His Career
Before Amazon, Jeff worked in finance. He had good jobs at companies like Bankers Trust and D.E. Shaw, where he became a vice president. While working there, he noticed something big: the internet was growing super fast. That gave him an idea—what if people could buy books online?
So, in 1994, he quit his job, packed up his car, and moved to Seattle. That’s where he started building a company from his garage. That company became Amazon.
Building Amazon
Amazon started in 1995 as a simple online bookstore. But Jeff had much bigger plans. He wanted Amazon to be the place where people could buy anything.
Over time, Amazon added more products—movies, music, clothes, electronics, and more. But Jeff didn’t stop there. He focused on making the customer experience great. He also invested in new technology and fast delivery systems.
Some big changes under his leadership included:
- Amazon Prime: Free shipping and video streaming for members
- Kindle: A digital e-reader that changed how people read books
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): A cloud platform that helps other businesses run online
- Alexa and Echo devices: Voice assistants for smart homes
- Buying Whole Foods Market in 2017: Amazon entered the grocery world
Going to Space with Blue Origin
While running Amazon, Jeff also dreamed about space. In 2000, he started a space company called Blue Origin. His goal was to make space travel safe and available to more people—not just astronauts.
Blue Origin builds rockets and spacecraft. In 2021, Jeff himself flew to space for a short trip in one of his company’s rockets. He believes that in the future, people should live and work in space to help protect Earth.
Other Companies and Investments
Jeff is involved in a lot more than just Amazon and space. Here are some of his other businesses:
- The Washington Post: He bought this famous newspaper in 2013 and helped it grow online
- Bezos Expeditions: His investment company that has put money into Google, Uber, Airbnb, and other major startups
- Altos Labs: A science company focused on anti-aging research
Family Life
Jeff was married to MacKenzie Scott for 25 years. They met while working together and got married in 1993, just before Jeff started Amazon. They have four children—three sons and one daughter adopted from China.
In 2019, Jeff and MacKenzie got divorced. She received part of their Amazon shares in the settlement and became one of the richest women in the world. They continue to co-parent and support different charities.
How Much Is He Worth?
As of early 2025, Jeff Bezos is worth about $190.9+ billion. Most of his money comes from his Amazon stock, but he also makes money from:
- Blue Origin
- The Washington Post
- Bezos Expeditions
- Real estate and personal investments
Even though he stepped down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021, he still plays a big role as Executive Chairman, focusing on long-term plans and innovation.
Giving Back: Philanthropy
Jeff has also started giving away more of his wealth in recent years. In 2018, he created the Bezos Day One Fund to help homeless families and open free preschools in low-income areas.
He also started the Bezos Earth Fund with a $10 billion donation to help fight climate change.
While some people say he should have started giving sooner, he’s now one of the largest donors in the world.
What Makes Him Different?
Jeff Bezos has always looked far into the future. Instead of just focusing on quick wins, he believes in building things that last. He’s known for saying, “It’s always Day 1,” meaning there’s always room to grow, improve, and try something new.
He also believes in taking smart risks and learning from mistakes. That mindset helped him grow Amazon from a small online bookstore to one of the biggest companies on Earth.
Final Thoughts
Jeff Bezos is more than just a businessman. He’s a dreamer, a builder, and someone who’s always looking at what’s next. From changing how we shop online to flying to space and helping the planet, he’s had a massive impact on the world. And he’s not done yet.
His story reminds us that big things can start small sometimes even in a garage.
