How did jeff bezos start amazon

1. Early Life and Education
2. Wall Street Career and Inspiration
3. Amazon.com
4. Diversified Ventures
5. Investments and Philanthropy
6. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on January 12, 1964. His mother, Jacklyn, was a teenager at the time, and his father, Ted Jorgensen, was an aspiring entertainer. When Jeff was four, his mother remarried to Miguel Bezos, a Cuban immigrant who legally adopted him. The family moved to Houston, Texas, where Jeff attended River Oaks Elementary School and developed a passion for science and technology.

He pursued this interest at Miami Palmetto High School, earning a Silver Knight Award for science in 1982. As a National Merit Scholar, Bezos enrolled at Princeton University, initially intending to study physics. However, his fascination with computers led him to switch to electrical engineering and computer science, graduating summa cum laude in 1986.

Wall Street Career and Inspiration

After college, Bezos worked on Wall Street in computer science roles at Fitel, Bankers Trust, and D.E. Shaw & Co. During this time, he observed the rapid growth of the internet and became aware of the Supreme Court's ruling exempting online sales from sales tax.

Amazon.com

In 1994, Bezos left Wall Street to found Amazon.com, an online bookstore. The company, initially operating from Bezos' garage in Seattle, quickly expanded to offer a wide range of products. Its founder named it after the Amazon River, aiming to make it "the biggest bookstore in the world." Amazon.com has since become the largest online retailer in the United States.

Diversified Ventures

Beyond Amazon.com, Bezos has pursued other ventures. In 2000, he founded Blue Origin, an aerospace company dedicated to commercial space travel. In 2013, he acquired The Washington Post newspaper, with the intention of digitizing its content and increasing its global reach.

Investments and Philanthropy

Bezos' investment firm, Bezos Expeditions, supports several companies. He has also been involved in philanthropic efforts, including donations to cancer research and education. In 2012, he and his wife contributed significantly to a successful referendum in Washington to legalize same-sex marriage.

Personal Life

Jeff Bezos married MacKenzie Scott in 1993. The couple has four children, three biological sons and an adopted daughter.