Jeff Bezos, born Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen on January 12, 1964, is an American businessman renowned for founding Amazon, the world's largest e-commerce and cloud computing company. This timeline highlights significant events and milestones in his life and career.
Main Milestones
Birth
January 12, 1964
Jeff Bezos was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen.
High School Education
1978-1982
Bezos attended Miami Palmetto High School, graduating as valedictorian in 1982.
College Graduation
1986
Bezos graduated from Princeton University with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science, earning his degrees Summa Cum Laude.
Early Career
1986-1994
Bezos worked on Wall Street in various related fields, including a stint as a product manager at Bankers Trust.
Founding of Amazon
July 14, 1994
Bezos founded Amazon as an online bookstore, initially operating from his garage in Bellevue, Washington.
Amazon Goes Public
1997
Bezos took Amazon public, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth.
Diversification of Amazon
1998
Bezos diversified Amazon's product range beyond books, expanding into other consumer goods.
Founding of Blue Origin
2000
Bezos founded Blue Origin, an aerospace manufacturer and sub-orbital spaceflight services company.
Purchase of The Washington Post
2013
Bezos purchased The Washington Post for $250 million, expanding his media holdings.
Stepping Down as CEO
July 5, 2021
Bezos stepped down as CEO and President of Amazon, transitioning to the role of Executive Chairman.
Space Flight
July 19, 2021
Bezos flew into space on Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle, marking a personal and professional milestone.
Current Status
2024
As of 2024, Bezos has been with Amazon for 30 years and remains the largest shareholder and Executive Chairman.
