Early Life
Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen, later known as Jeff Bezos, was born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His early life included periods in Albuquerque, Houston, and Miami. Bezos graduated as valedictorian from Miami Palmetto High School in 1982 and showed a strong aptitude for science and technology early on. He also attended the Student Science Training Program at the University of Florida.
Rise to Success
Bezos graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He then worked on Wall Street in various fields from 1986 to early 1994. In 1990, he joined D.E. Shaw & Co., where he became the youngest senior vice president. However, Bezos recognized the potential of the burgeoning internet and, in 1994, founded Amazon.com. Originally an online bookstore, Amazon quickly expanded to offer a vast array of products, earning the moniker "the everything store". The company went public in May 1997. Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon in 2021 and transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman.
Key Business Strategies
Amazon's success is attributed to several key strategies. These include a customer-centric approach, relentless focus on innovation, and strategic diversification. The introduction of Amazon Prime in 2005, offering fast and affordable shipping, was a pivotal move. Amazon also invested heavily in cloud computing with Amazon Web Services (AWS), which has become a major profit driver. Furthermore, acquisitions like Whole Foods Market have expanded Amazon's reach into new markets.
Philanthropy
Bezos has pledged $10 billion to climate causes through the Bezos Earth Fund. As of August 2025, approximately $2 billion has been granted through the fund. Bezos also supports various other initiatives and has donated stock to nonprofits.