Jeff Bezos' business empire: List of smart investments and companies owned by Amazon founder

Jeff Bezos' net worth & business empire: Jeff Bezos, one of the world’s richest individuals, has not only built an empire through Amazon but also expanded his influence through smart investments, innovative businesses, and a jaw-dropping net worth. With his wedding to Lauren Sánchez making headlines, let’s take a detailed look at the many facets of Jeff Bezos’s life, from his luxury lifestyle to his business ventures.

A Lavish Wedding on a Private Island

Jeff Bezos is set to tie the knot with Lauren Sánchez on June 27, 2025, on the stunning island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. According to serval media reports, this high-profile wedding is estimated to cost around $20 million, making it one of the most expensive celebrity weddings of the year. The extravagant celebration reflects Bezos’s luxurious lifestyle, powered by his massive net worth.

Jeff Bezos’s Net Worth in 2025

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Jeff Bezos is currently the third richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $220.9 billion as of 2025. Despite stepping down as Amazon’s CEO, Bezos remains the largest individual shareholder, owning approximately 8.6% of Amazon. His wealth comes not just from Amazon but also from a wide range of businesses and investments across various industries.

Bezos’s Amazon Empire

Jeff Bezos started Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore. Today, it is one of the world’s most powerful companies, offering everything from cloud computing (AWS) to groceries. Even after stepping down as CEO in 2021, Bezos continues as Executive Chair and holds a major ownership stake in Amazon.

Under Bezos’s leadership, Amazon acquired several major businesses:

• Whole Foods – Acquired in 2017, this upscale grocery chain has now fully integrated Amazon Prime benefits.
• Zappos – The online shoe retailer was bought in 2009 for $940 million.
• Twitch – Amazon entered live streaming by acquiring Twitch in 2014.
• Ring – In 2018, Amazon bought this smart home company for $1 billion.
• Audible – The audiobook platform was acquired for $300 million in 2008.

The Washington Post: A New Era for Journalism

In 2013, Jeff Bezos bought The Washington Post for $250 million via his private firm, Nash Holdings. Under his ownership, the newspaper underwent a major digital transformation, aiming for a broader global reach. Bezos also appointed Fred Ryan, founder of Politico, as CEO of the paper.

Blue Origin: Bezos’s Space Dream

Jeff Bezos’s passion for space led him to launch Blue Origin in 2000. This aerospace company is focused on building reusable rockets to make space travel more affordable. With a vision similar to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Bezos has made Blue Origin one of his top priorities after stepping down as Amazon CEO.

Bezos Expeditions: A Glimpse at His Investments

Jeff Bezos runs his venture capital firm, Bezos Expeditions, through which he has invested in several successful startups and established companies. His early investment in Google ($250,000 in 1998) resulted in millions of shares.

Other notable investments include:

Technology and FinTech

• Uber – Invested $37 million in 2011; now market cap of over $191 billion as of June 2025, according to the company's market cap.
• Airbnb – Bezos’s $112 million investment grew alongside the platform’s $71.8 billion market cap.
• Domo – Invested $60 million in this data software firm.
• Fundbox – FinTech company supported by Bezos in a $50 million Series C round.
• Stack Overflow – One of the most visited tech forums, later sold for $1.8 billion.
• Mark43 – A public safety software platform backed by Amazon Web Services.

Health and Science

• Grail – Invested $100 million in this cancer detection firm, later bought by Illumina for $8 billion.
• Juno Therapeutics – Cancer immunotherapy company sold for $9 billion.
• Mindstrong Health – Mental health startup acquired by SonderMind after Bezos backed it with $15 million.

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

• Figure AI – In 2024, Bezos invested $100 million in this humanoid robot startup aiming to automate jobs.
• Perplexity AI – An AI-powered search engine backed by Bezos in two funding rounds worth over $130 million.

Consumer Tech and Social Media

• NextDoor – Local social network app invested in during a $4.3 billion valuation phase.
• Basecamp – Project management software where Bezos holds a minority stake.
• MakerBot – Early 3D printing company supported with a $10 million investment.

Food and Agriculture

• Plenty – Agri-tech firm growing pesticide-free vegetables indoors; Bezos invested $200 million.
• EverFi – EdTech firm focused on financial and social education, supported with $190 million.

Global Finance and Payments

• Remitly – A digital remittance app valued at over $2.6 billion, supported early on by Bezos.

Philanthropy Through Bezos Expeditions

Beyond his investments, Jeff Bezos uses his wealth for philanthropy. His venture capital firm has supported numerous non-profits and social projects, contributing directly to initiatives in education, environment, and health.

A Billionaire with Big Plans

From Amazon to Blue Origin, from the Washington Post to Uber, Jeff Bezos has built an empire that touches almost every part of our lives. His eye for investments, constant innovation, and massive net worth ensure that he remains a powerful figure not just in business but in global influence.

With a lavish wedding and futuristic plans in space and AI, the world will continue watching Jeff Bezos. Whether it’s through his businesses, bold investments, or philanthropy, his legacy is far from over.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available sources and estimates as of 2025. Jeff Bezos’s net worth, business holdings, and investment details may change over time. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.

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