Billionaire ex-wife of Amazon founder marries science teacher
MACKENZIE SCOTT, the former wife of Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder, has married a science teacher who works at her children’s school in Seattle.
The philanthropist and novelist, who helped Mr Bezos set up the company and was one of its first employees, received about $38billion in their divorce, which made her the world’s fourth richest woman.
Ms Scott updated her biography on her Amazon profile to say that she lives “with her four children and her husband, Dan”.
That appeared to refer to Dan Jewett, a teacher at the private secondary Lakeside School who has been added to Ms Scott’s entry for the Giving Pledge, a charity organisation formed by billionaires who have promised to give away most of their fortunes.
The union was first reported by the
Wall Street Journal, which cited a person close to the couple. Mr Bezos welcomed the news, saying: “Dan is such a great guy, and I am happy and excited for the both of them.”
Since separating from Mr Bezos, Ms Scott, 50, has given away at least $6billion (£4.3billion). In an entry added to the Giving Pledge’s website since Feb 25, Mr Jewett suggested he and Ms Scott had merged their finances, expressing surprise and gratitude that he was now in a position to give away so much.
Mr Jewett said: “It is strange to be indicating I plan to give away the majority of my wealth during my lifetime, as I have never sought to gather the kind of wealth required to feel like saying such a thing would have particular meaning.
“I have been a teacher for the majority of my life, as well as a grateful student of the generosity of those around me ... and now, in a stroke of happy coincidence, I am married to one of the most generous and kind people I know – and joining her in a commitment to pass on an enormous financial wealth.
“I have seen many ways Mackenzie has seen her efforts enhanced when she acts on the belief that those with common values but different perspectives, strengths, and experiences are essential to effecting positive change.”
Lakeside School counts Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft’s founders, and Adam West, the star of Batman, among its alumni.