Ripples from Bezos split could rewrite rich lists
MacKenzie Bezos could become the richest woman on earth once her divorce becomes final
The wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos could become the world's richest woman if his fortune is split equally during their divorce proceedings. Bezos, 54, and MacKenzie, 48, announced on Wednesday that, following a trial separation, they had decided to end their marriage of 25 years. Their divorce settlement may reshape global wealth rankings. Having started Amazon from his garage in Seattle, Bezos went on to become the richest man on the planet, with an estimated fortune of $137bn (R1.9-trillion). As well as his shareholding in Amazon, Bezos owns The Washington Post newspaper as well as a string of other investments including a Gulfstream jet and homes in Seattle, Washington, Beverly Hills and New York. If the couple file for divorce in Washington, the state where they were married and Amazon has its headquarters, half of Bezos's wealth could go to his wife under the state's community property law, unless there is a prenuptial agreement in place. If they split their fortune equally,...
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