MacKenzie Scott

MacKenzie Scott (born 1970) is an American philanthropist, author, and ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. After their divorce in 2019, Scott became one of the world’s wealthiest women, but she made a dramatic shift in her focus, using her fortune to support charitable causes. She signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of her wealth to charity. Her giving is not only substantial but also highly strategic, with donations going to underfunded areas such as racial equity, gender equality, and global health.

Scott’s philanthropy is distinctive for her focus on direct giving and trust-based philanthropy. She bypasses traditional philanthropic organizations and often works directly with nonprofits and groups making a real impact on marginalized communities. Her donations have been aimed at supporting long-term solutions to issues such as education, economic inequality, and climate change, and she has given away billions of dollars since the start of her giving journey.

One of Scott’s notable quotes is, "The best way to address inequities in our society is to change the systems that have caused them," reflecting her approach to transformative giving. She consistently advocates for accountability and transparency in philanthropy, encouraging other wealthy individuals to follow her lead in making impactful, thoughtful contributions to society. Through her work, Scott has become a role model for responsible, values-driven philanthropy in the modern age.