Early Life and Education
MacKenzie Scott Tuttle was born on April 7, 1970, in San Francisco, California. She graduated from Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, in 1988. She then attended Princeton University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English in 1992. At Princeton, she studied creative writing with the author Toni Morrison. Morrison described Scott as "one of the best students" she ever taught.
Rise to Success
In 1994, MacKenzie Scott co-founded Amazon with her then-husband, Jeff Bezos. She played an essential role in the company's early stages, including working on the company name, business plan, accounts, and shipping initial orders. Her community property divorce in 2019 left her with $35.6 billion in Amazon stock, making her the third-wealthiest woman in the world.
Key Business Strategies
While involved with Amazon, Scott focused on the company's early operations, including its financial and logistical foundations. After her divorce, she has concentrated on her philanthropic endeavors, giving away the majority of her wealth to various charities.
Philanthropy
MacKenzie Scott signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of her wealth. She has donated $26.3 billion to over 1,600 organizations since 2019. She has donated $7.1 billion to nonprofits in 2025. She has given to various causes, including education, racial equity, public health, affordable housing, and community development. Her philanthropic approach involves unrestricted grants, giving recipients full control over how funds are used.