From humble start to world’s 2nd richest

AMAZON founder Jeff Bezos is now the world’s second richest man, having amassed a £67billion fortune.

Many think he will soon eclipse Microsoft tycoon Bill Gates’s near-£70billion haul.

Bezos was born in New Mexico in 1964, the son of a teenage bride and his father deserted the family at a young age. But he was a gifted child who won a place at Princetown University, where he graduated in electrical engineering and computer science. Bezos met his wife, MacKenzie, while they were both working at a New York hedge fund. He quit that job and moved to Seattle to start Amazon and the couple have four children. Bezos gives very few interviews but those who have met him describe him as being “energetic” and “optimistic”.

Others call him “intense” and with a laugh that’s a “cross between a mating elephant seal and a power tool”.

Bezos has also used his bulging wealth to venture into other areas.

In 2013, he paid £200million for The Washington Post newspaper – and circulation of the title has surged under his ownership.