MacKenzie Scott Was Never The Same After Her Divorce From Jeff Bezos (In The Best Way)

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If you know anything about the early days of Amazon, you know the company's origin story is inseparable from MacKenzie Scott. Her love for books and creative writing instantly made her a supporter of ex-husband Jeff Bezos's dreams to launch an online bookstore — an idea that would eventually become Amazon. For years, that partnership, both in business and in marriage, largely shaped how Scott was publicly perceived. For more than two decades, that association consumed who she was in the eyes of the public and overshadowed her independent identity. But after their 2019 divorce, Scott is living life on her own terms and hasn't been the same since, and it's in the best way possible.

From the divorce, Scott received a 25% stake of the pair's original stock holdings of the company, which was estimated to be $35.6 billion at the time. While many may have thought the Amazon co-founder would live a lavish life showing off an epic post-divorce glow-up, Scott had other things in mind. Her life is the polar opposite of the lavish lifestyle of Bezos and his new wife, Lauren Sanchez, whose biggest makeup mistakes are hard to ignore. Rather than embracing excess or chasing spectacles, Scott always preferred a quieter life. 

In a rare 2013 Vogue interview to discuss her novel, Scott described herself as being far more reserved than Jeff and not particularly drawn to highly social settings like cocktail parties. It explains why a low-key, private life has always suited her. 

Similar to Melinda Gates, who hasn't been the same since her divorce, MacKenzie Scott is no longer defined by her proximity to her ex-husband. Her life is now very much guided by intentional choices that impact people's lives in unimaginable ways. You definitely won't see Scott at star-studded social events or spending summers on a yacht in Europe decked out in couture; her focus is elsewhere. She's busy giving through her organization, Yield Giving.

As of December 2025, it was reported that Scott had donated more than $26 billion to hundreds of organizations. What makes her donations stand out is how personally she engages with the process. Every so often, the "Traps" author publishes reflective essays announcing her donations on the Yield Giving site. In every post, she includes meaningful insight into the values and thoughtfulness behind each round of giving. There's a genuine sense of care and intentionality.

In her December 2025 essay, she wrote, "The peace-fostering byproducts of one unexpected act of kindness toward a stranger of different background or beliefs might inspire a beneficial chain reaction that goes on for years [...] It is these ripple effects that make imagining the power of any of our own acts of kindness impossible." The sentiment captures how deeply Scott believes in the quiet power of kindness and the act of giving. It also explains why her post-divorce chapter is so intentionally grounded.