MacKenzie Scott Has Donated Over $19 Billion Since Her Divorce from Jeff Bezos — Redefining Modern Philanthropy
Six years after her high-profile divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott has reshaped the philanthropic landscape with one of the most significant and far-reaching donation efforts in modern history.
According to a new study from the Center for Effective Philanthropy, Scott has given away more than $19 billion to over 2,000 organizations—all without traditional application processes or restrictions. The report praises her unique approach, noting that she has “transformed” philanthropy by providing unrestricted, trust-based gifts that allow recipients to use funds where they’re most needed.
“It could take decades to truly understand the effects these gifts have had,” the report said. “But the immediate impact reported by nonprofits is overwhelmingly positive.”
From Billionaire Divorce to Billion-Dollar Giving
In 2019, Scott and Bezos finalized their divorce, with Scott receiving a $36 billion settlement—mostly in Amazon stock. While Bezos retained 75% of their Amazon holdings, Scott’s share of roughly 4% was more than enough to make her one of the wealthiest women in the world.
Rather than amassing further personal wealth, Scott committed to giving it away. She signed the Giving Pledge shortly after the divorce and began working with a small team of advisors to identify high-impact nonprofits. What sets her apart from other major donors is her no-strings-attached giving style. Her donations arrive “out of the blue,” often without prior notice, applications, or expectations of naming rights.
A Quiet Force for Change
Now 54, Scott has become known for her low-profile yet high-impact style. She rarely gives interviews, instead letting her blog posts and the work of the nonprofits she funds speak for themselves. Her giving spans a wide range of causes—racial equity, education, gender equality, public health, climate justice, and more—often targeting organizations led by people from underrepresented communities.
Recipients have described her donations as “transformative,” often allowing them to pay off debt, expand services, and take bold risks that traditional funding models don’t permit.
A Legacy Still in the Making
Despite having already given away nearly half of her divorce settlement, Scott remains on Forbes’ billionaires list, currently ranked at No. 68. But her focus is clearly not on the numbers—it’s on the impact.
“I will keep at it until the safe is empty,” she once wrote.
With over $19 billion already distributed, MacKenzie Scott is proving that philanthropy doesn’t need to come with red tape, press conferences, or long waitlists to make a world-changing difference.