MacKenzie Scott Donates $19 Billion, Amazon Shares Maintain Her Wealth
MacKenzie Scott has emerged as a pivotal figure in philanthropy with her substantial donations that have made headlines in 2025. As a billionaire novelist and a notable philanthropist, Scott, who is the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has made an impressive impact through her charitable contributions.
Significant Donations by MacKenzie Scott
Since 2020, Scott has donated an astounding $19.25 billion through her philanthropic organization, Yield Giving, established in 2022. This foundation focuses on various critical issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), education, and disaster recovery.
- Total Donations Since 2020: $19.25 billion
- 2025 Donations: Hundreds of millions of dollars to various organizations
Wealth Accumulation and Amazon Shares
Despite her extensive charitable giving, Scott’s net worth continues to thrive. After her divorce from Bezos in 2019, she inherited a 4% stake in Amazon, amounting to approximately 139 million shares. Although she has since sold or donated about 58 million shares, her wealth is still over $35 billion.
- Current Net Worth: Over $35 billion
- Amazon Shares Sold/Donated: 58 million shares
- Value of Sold Shares (2025): Approximately $12.6 billion
Year-to-date, Scott has added $923 million to her wealth, as reported by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This increase in net worth coincides with a 45% rise in Amazon’s share prices since November 2020.
Philanthropic Approach
Scott’s approach to giving is distinctive. She provides unrestricted donations that empower organizations to allocate funds according to their immediate needs, rather than adhering to restrictive funding processes. Noni Ramos, CEO of Housing Trust Silicon Valley, noted that Scott’s unrestricted gifts allow for innovative and swift responses to pressing issues.
Focus Areas for Donations
Recently, Scott has emphasized support for DEI, education, and disaster relief initiatives, particularly in light of funding cuts during the Trump administration. Her philanthropy serves to fill gaps left by significant policy shifts, reflecting her commitment to community engagement and growth.
Comparative Philanthropy: Scott vs. Bezos
While Scott has donated 36% of her net worth, her ex-husband Jeff Bezos, with a net worth of $264 billion, has contributed a mere 1.6% of his wealth—approximately $4.1 billion. This stark contrast highlights her robust philanthropic efforts compared to Bezos’s giving.
As one of the most generous philanthropists in the United States, Scott ranks fifth on Forbes’ list, which includes prominent figures like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.
MacKenzie Scott’s impactful donations and her unique approach to philanthropy exemplify a model that encourages unrestricted giving and community involvement. Her commitment to addressing societal challenges marks her as a leading figure in modern philanthropy.
