With an estimated net worth of $124.1 billion, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos made a pledge in a new interview that he plans on donating most of that wealth to charity within his lifetime. Talking to CNN’s Chloe Melas Monday (November 14) alongside his partner, former news anchor Lauren Sánchez, Bezos said the couple is “building the capacity to be able to give away this money.” When asked directly whether he intends to donate the majority of his wealth within his lifetime, Bezos, 58, said, “Yeah, I do.”
Though Bezos’ vow was light on specifics, despite being the fourth-wealthiest person in the world, according to Forbes, he said most of his donations will go toward fighting climate change and to people who can unify humanity in the face of deep social and political divisions. Bezos has committed $10 billion over 10 years, or about 8% of his current net worth, to the Bezos Earth Fund, which Sánchez co-chairs. Among its priorities are reducing the carbon footprint of construction-grade cement and steel; pushing financial regulators to consider climate-related risks; advancing data and mapping technologies to monitor carbon emissions; and building natural, plant-based carbon sinks on a large scale, per CNN.
Until now, Bezos had not officially signed on to the Giving Pledge, a promise by hundreds of the world’s richest people to commit to giving away more than half their wealth to charitable causes. Bezos is now Amazon’s executive chair but not its CEO (he owns less than 10% of Amazon’s shares), since he stepped down from that role in 2021. Though Amazon pledged to reduce their carbon footprint by 2040 according to the principles of the Paris Climate Agreement, Amazon’s footprint grew by 18% in 2021, reflecting a pandemic-driven e-commerce boom.
Bezos said of his philanthropic strategy, “The hard part is figuring out how to do it in a levered way,” he said, implying that even as he gives away his billions, he is still looking for a return. “It’s not easy. Building Amazon was not easy. It took a lot of hard work, a bunch of very smart teammates, hard-working teammates, and I’m finding — and I think Lauren is finding the same thing — that charity, philanthropy, is very similar.”
Bezos owns the Washington Post and aerospace company Blue Origin.
9 of Amazon’s Top Toys For The 2022 Holiday Season
1) Reversible Axolotl Plushie
If your kids are anywhere near TikTok then I’m sure they’re already all over these. The octopi are definitely the most popular, but these adorable Axolotls are making their way around.
2) Barbie Hatch and Gather Egg Farm
That’s right, Barbie is just as popular as ever. This super cute barbie set is a hatch so much fun. Ready to help hatch chicks and with the fun little dough molds and even make grass for the cows!
3) Kinetic Sand
Kinetic Sand is so much fun! Your kids can search for the key to unlock the golden chest and lift the lid to find rare gold Shimmer Kinetic Sand inside. They can even discover additional sand on the bottom.
4) Star Wars Mini Action Figures
Who doesn’t love Star Wars! This 10-pack includes Darth Vader, Grogu, The Mandalorian, Stormtrooper, Luke Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Bo-Katan, Darth Maul, Moff Gideon, and Anakin Skywalker.
5) Stack N Style Wood Dollhouse
This looks like so much fun. I wish I had a cool stackable wooden dollhouse. It has 6 rooms and can have up to three floors which is so cool and would have made me incredibly excited as a child.
6) Melissa & Doug Wooden La Patisserie Bakery
This perfect for the budding baker. They can be a baker or the customer with this sturdy wooden bakery counter with removable mixer and swiveling pay terminal and wooden and fabric play food pieces and play baking accessories. Play food includes 2 wooden cookies, 2 wooden cupcakes, 6 wooden icing tops, 2 foam cinnamon buns to roll, 2 fabric bun icing pieces, felt croissant to roll up, wooden croissant filling, foam bread/cake loaf, fabric cake icing.
7) Bluey Ultimate Play House
Bluey is quickly becoming one of the top shows for kids and adults! This playhouse is perfect for any Bluey fans out there for sure.
8) Monster Jam Garage Playset
How fun does this look! We love a good monster car/hot wheels style toy for kids. This one is definitely sure to be a hit for any little car lover.
Please note that items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time we published this list. Have an idea for a fun theme for a gift idea list you’d like us to create? Drop us a line at shopping@bbgi.com.
