Top 10 Fascinating Facts About Jeff Bezos

Meraj Hashmi

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Introduction

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the world's leading entrepreneurs, was born as Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, his last name was later changed to Bezos after his stepfather adopted him.

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Family Background

Bezos' mother, Jacqueline, and his biological father, Ted Jorgensen, had an interesting background. Ted was a circus performer and an expert in riding a unicycle.

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Early Career

Before founding Amazon, Bezos worked at fintech telecommunications startup Fitel, Bankers Trust, and the hedge fund D. E. Shaw & Co.

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The Birth of Amazon

On July 5, 1994, Bezos founded Amazon, initially as an online bookstore. Originally, he wanted to name it "Cadabra," but later changed it to "Amazon," inspired by the world's largest river.

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Amazon's First Website

Amazon launched its first website on July 16, 1995. To start the business, Bezos invested $300,000, which he received from his parents.

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Surviving a Helicopter Crash

In 2003, Bezos survived a helicopter crash in Texas when the aircraft flipped into a creek. He sustained minor injuries and later advised against unnecessary helicopter travel.

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Cameo in 'Star Trek'

A lifelong science-fiction fan, Bezos made a cameo appearance as an alien in the 2016 movie Star Trek Beyond.

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Acquisition of 'The Washington Post'

In 2013, Bezos entered the media industry by purchasing the prestigious newspaper The Washington Post for $250 million.

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Founding Blue Origin

In 2000, Bezos established Blue Origin, a space exploration company dedicated to making space travel accessible and enabling human life beyond Earth.

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Bezos' Vision for Space Industrialization

He strongly believes that heavy industries should be moved to space to conserve Earth's natural resources.

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Childhood Interest in Science

As a child, Bezos displayed a knack for technology by building an electric alarm in his room to prevent his siblings from entering without permission.

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Named 'Person of the Year'

In 1999, Time magazine honored Bezos as its 'Person of the Year' in recognition of his groundbreaking entrepreneurial success.

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High School Dream of Space Colonization

During his high school graduation speech, Bezos expressed his dream of creating human colonies in space, aligning with his current space ventures.

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Personal Life and Relationships

In 2019, Bezos announced his divorce from his wife, MacKenzie, making headlines worldwide.

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His Fiancée’s Aviation Passion

Bezos' fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, is a licensed helicopter pilot and has authored a children's book titled “The Fly Who Flew to Space”.