Menu
Jeff Bezos

Early Life and Education

Jeff Bezos, an American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, was born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His birth name is Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen. His mother, Jacklyn Gise Jorgensen, was a teenager at the time, and his father, Ted Jorgensen, owned a bicycle shop. After his parents’ divorce, Jacklyn remarried Miguel “Mike” Bezos, a Cuban immigrant, who adopted Jeff; his surname was subsequently changed to Bezos.

Related Biography: Amancio Ortega

Bezos spent parts of his childhood in Houston, Texas, where he attended River Oaks Elementary School. The family later relocated to Miami, Florida, where he enrolled at Miami Palmetto Senior High School. Demonstrating a strong aptitude for science and technology, Bezos later pursued higher education at Princeton University. He graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and computer science. While at Princeton, he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and was elected to Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honor society.

Career Beginnings and the Founding of Amazon

After graduating from Princeton, Bezos began his career at Fitel, a financial technology start-up, where he was promoted to head of development and director of customer service. In 1988, he transitioned into the financial sector, working at several firms, including Bankers Trust and the hedge fund D.E. Shaw & Co.

It was during his tenure at D.E. Shaw that Bezos identified an emerging opportunity in e-commerce. In 1994, he left the firm to launch his own venture—a bold move that led to the founding of Amazon.com. Initially conceived as an online bookstore, Amazon quickly expanded its range of products and services, evolving into a global e-commerce giant. Bezos's foresight and leadership turned Amazon into one of the world’s most influential technology companies, contributing significantly to his recognition as one of the richest individuals globally.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Bezos married MacKenzie Tuttle in 1993. The two had met while working at D.E. Shaw. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Seattle, Washington, where they settled as Bezos built Amazon. Together, they have four children—three sons and an adopted daughter from China. In 2019, Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos finalized their divorce after 25 years of marriage. Despite their separation, both have remained active in philanthropic efforts, with Bezos notably committing billions to causes such as climate change and education.

Jeff Bezos' Relationship Status

Following his divorce, Jeff Bezos has been romantically linked with Lauren Sánchez, a former news anchor and helicopter pilot. The couple made their relationship public in 2019 and have since appeared together at numerous high-profile events. As of recent reports, they continue to be in a committed relationship.


Quick Facts
Birth Date: 12 Jan, 1964
Age: 56 yrs
Occupations: Computer scientist
Entrepreneur
Citizenship: United States of America
Birth Place: Albuquerque
residence: Houston
Miami
Albuquerque
Education: Princeton University
Miami Palmetto High School
Gender: Male
Description: American entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Amazon.com, Inc.
Twitter Id: JeffBezos
Spouse: Mackenzie Bezos[1992-2019]
Net Worth 2021: 190.9 billion
Help us Edit this article and get a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift card.
Last Modified: Mar 20 2025
You may also like