MacKenzie Scott
MacKenzie Scott
MacKenzie Scott: A Biography Early Life: MacKenzie Scott (formerly MacKenzie Tuttle) was born on April 7, 1970, in San Francisco, California. She grew up in San Francisco before moving to Connecticut, where she attended the Hotchkiss School, a private preparatory boarding school.
Education: Scott attended Princeton University, where she studied under the famous writer Toni Morrison. Under Morrison's mentorship, Scott honed her writing skills and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English in 1992. Morrison has described Scott as "one of the best students I've ever had."
Writing Career: MacKenzie Scott is an accomplished author. Her debut novel, "The Testing of Luther Albright," was published in 2005 and received the American Book Award in 2006. Later, in 2013, she released her second novel, "Traps."
Marriage to Jeff Bezos: While working at the hedge fund D. E. Shaw in New York City, Scott met Jeff Bezos. The two got married in 1993, shortly after which they moved to Seattle, Washington. In Seattle, Bezos founded Amazon, the online bookstore that would grow into the world's largest e-commerce platform.
Though less publicized than her then-husband's role, Scott played a significant part in the early days of Amazon. She was one of the company's first employees and worked on the business plan, initial logistics, and even the freight contracts.
Divorce and Wealth: In 2019, MacKenzie Scott and Jeff Bezos announced their divorce, concluding a 25-year-long marriage. As part of the divorce settlement, Scott received 25% of the couple's Amazon stock, which amounted to about 4% of the company's total shares. This transfer made her one of the wealthiest women in the world.
Philanthropy: MacKenzie Scott is known for her generous philanthropic efforts. After the divorce, she signed the Giving Pledge, an initiative founded by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates that encourages billionaires to give away the majority of their wealth during their lifetimes.
Since then, Scott has donated billions to various charitable causes and organizations, ranging from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to gender equality advocates and public health organizations. Her approach to philanthropy is noteworthy for its unrestricted grants, trusting the organizations she donates to with how they utilize the funds.
Personal Life and Values: MacKenzie Scott's life reflects a commitment to privacy, literature, and impactful philanthropy. Despite her significant wealth, she maintains a relatively low profile, focusing her public statements mainly on her charitable work and endeavors. After her divorce with Bezos, she married Dan Jewett, a Seattle science teacher, in 2021. Together, they continue to work on their philanthropic efforts.
Conclusion: MacKenzie Scott's legacy is multifaceted. While initially recognized due to her association with Amazon and Jeff Bezos, she has carved out her own distinct identity as an accomplished writer and a forward-thinking philanthropist. Her dedication to effecting positive change through her wealth showcases her as a figure of empowerment and generosity in the 21st century.