How Amazon founder Jeff Bezos spends his $166 billion, from 10,000-year underground clocks to flying to the edge of space

Katie CanalesAug 7, 2022, 16:52 IST

Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/Insider

Jeff Bezos has amassed a $166 billion fortune since founding Amazon in 1994.
He's spent his money on charity, unusual ventures, and personal projects like Blue Origin.

Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has become one of the wealthiest and most recognizable figures in the tech world.

Recent years have brought him a high-profile divorce, a trip via spaceship to the edge of space, his firm's skyrocketed share price during the pandemic, and his departure from the role as CEO of the company he founded 28 years ago.

Nowadays, the 58-year-old is focused on his other endeavors, including his space exploration company Blue Origin that recently flew actor William Shatner to the edge of space as well as The Washington Post, which he bought in 2013. He's also been busy trying to get his $500 million under-construction megayacht past a historic Dutch bridge and enjoys traveling the globe with girlfriend Lauren Sanchez.

And, of course, there's what Forbes says is the $166.8 billion fortune he has accumulated over the years. Here's how he spends it, from real estate to travel to his personal projects.

Andy Kiersz, Taylor Nicole Rogers, and Hillary Hoffower previously contributed to this reporting.

Jeff Bezos founded Amazon, the source of much of his wealth, on July 5, 1994.

Bezos in 1994.Paul Souders/Getty Images

But they eventually came around.

Bezos and his parents in 2016.MOLLY RILEY/AFP via Getty Images

Bezos also received a lot of support from his then-wife MacKenzie.

MacKenzie Scott.Evan Agostini/Invision/Associated Press

Amazon made its initial public offering on May 15, 1997.

Amazon founder and chair Jeff Bezos unveiling the new Amazon Kindle 2.0 in 2009.Mario Tama/Getty Images

Amazon's rise left several early internet competitors in the dust.

Yahoo founders David Filo (left) and Jerry Yang in 1999.Eric Sander/Getty Images

Amazon has steadily grown over the last two decades

Employees walk through a lobby at Amazon's headquarters in Seattle.Elaine Thompson/AP

Another big growth area was Amazon Web Services.

Sopa Images

Amazon has also grown through various acquisitions over time.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

But then came Amazon's 2017 $13.7 billion purchase of Whole Foods.

A Whole Foods in New York City.Noam Galai/Contributor

Amazon's rise is the primary source of Bezos' fortune.

Charles Krupa/AP

Bezos has made several investments in other companies.

Bezos in 2021.Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty

A notable purchase was The Washington Post in 2013.

The Washington Post.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Bezos' wealth is hard to wrap your head around.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in 2019.MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images

He is also one of the country's biggest landowners.

Medina, Washington.Harrison Jacobs/Business Insider

Bezos also owns a Spanish-style mansion in Beverly Hills, California.

Bezos in 2019.John Locher/AP

He's got sleek pads in Manhattan.

Arrows point to his property.Google Maps

Then there's the other Beverly Hills mansion.

A view of the driveway.RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

As for ground transportation, he's been fairly frugal.

A Honda Accord; not necessarily Bezos'.Honda

He does own a $65 million Gulfstream G650ER private jet though.

A Gulfstream G650ER.AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Bezos sometimes has a taste for exotic cuisine.

Bezos in December 2021.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for DJ

He's donated to charity, but not as much as his peers.

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Bezos has, however, supported Mary's Place.

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Bezos also supports more unusual ventures.

10000 year clock

Bezos has a lifelong fascination with NASA.

Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos with aviation glasses that belonged to Amelia Earhart.Joe Raedle/Getty Images

So it makes sense that he founded Blue Origin.

Overhead of the New Glenn rocket from Blue Origin, one of the three heavy-lift launch providers Amazon selected for Project Kuiper (featuring a mock-up of the Amazon logo)Amazon/Business Wire

The goal is in part to colonize the solar system.

William Shatner tells Jeff Bezos about his spaceflight experience in 2021.Blue Origin

He has pledged $10 billion to fight climate change.

Jeff Bezos (right) speaks with brother Mark after they flew on Blue Origin's inaugural flight in 2021.REUTERS/Joe Skipper

Bezos also spends plenty of cash in his personal life.

Bezos and Sanchez.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

He may or may not be the world's richest man.

Musk and Bezos.Patrick Pluel/Getty Images; Alex Wong/Getty Images; Hollis Johnson/Insider

And Bezos is still getting richer.

Bezos in 2021.aul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images

But that growth has caught regulators' eye.

Jeff Bezos testifies before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law in 2020.Mandel Ngan/Pool via REUTERS

He can still focus on his personal projects though.

Jeff Bezos near Van Horn, Texas in 2021.Tony Gutierrez/AP

Pool-rental startup Swimply is here to help customers beat the heatwave. Check out 10 of the app's most luxe pools you can rent across the US.

Cookies on the Business Insider India website