Jeff Bezos Sells $737 Million in Amazon Shares Under Planned Trading Arrangement

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has sold more than 3.3 million shares of his company, amounting to a transaction worth approximately $736.7 million, according to a regulatory filing submitted Tuesday. The sale is part of a prearranged trading plan filed in March that permits Bezos to sell up to 25 million shares of Amazon stock through May 2026.

Despite stepping down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021, Bezos remains the company's executive chairman and continues to be its largest individual shareholder.

Ongoing Stock Sale Strategy

The latest share divestment follows a broader pattern in Bezos’ approach to asset management. In February 2024, Bezos executed a separate trading plan to offload up to 50 million shares, a process he completed by January 2025.

Bezos has long used these structured stock sales to fund ventures such as his aerospace company, Blue Origin, and philanthropic efforts including Day 1 Academies, a network of Montessori-inspired preschools in underserved communities.

Billionaire Milestones and Personal News

The transaction comes days after Bezos married journalist and media personality Lauren Sanchez in a lavish three-day celebration in Venice, Italy. The private event, reportedly costing around $50 million, drew considerable media attention and public protests from some Venice locals over its extravagance.

Bezos remains one of the wealthiest individuals globally. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, he ranks third with a net worth of approximately $240 billion, trailing behind Tesla CEO Elon Musk ($363 billion) and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ($260 billion).

Amazon stock rose slightly in after-hours trading following the announcement, reflecting continued investor confidence despite the founder’s divestiture.