Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott marries Seattle science teacher

Dan Jewett and MacKenzie Scott. (Photo via The Giving Pledge)

MacKenzie Scott, the billionaire philanthropist whose fortune is linked to the early days of Amazon, has married Seattle science teacher Dan Jewett.

Scott was previously married to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, but the couple divorced in 2019 after 25 years of marriage.

Jewett is a science teacher at Lakeside, North Seattle’s exclusive private school best known as the alma mater of Microsoft co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

In a March 6 message posted on The Giving Pledge’s website – a website where the ultra-rich pledge their fortunes to charity – Jewett writes on MacKenzie Scott’s page:

It is strange to write a letter saying that I plan to give away most of my fortune during my life as I have never tried to raise the kind of fortune it takes to feel like that something like that would have a special meaning. I have been a teacher and a grateful student for the generosity of those around me for most of my life. This meant doing my best to follow their example and passing on resources of all kinds – from time to energy to material possessions – when I had to give them. And now, in a happy coincidence, I am married to one of the most generous and kindest people I know – and join her to pass on tremendous financial wealth to serve others.

Scott, a writer who met Bezos at the DE Shaw hedge fund in New York, is the 22nd richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $ 53.5 billion, according to Bloomberg. The news was first published in the Wall Street Journal.

In the past few months, Scott has increased its philanthropic giving. Last December, it donated $ 4 billion to 384 nonprofits, educational institutions, and charities. At the time of the donation, she described the pandemic as a “wrecking ball” for many Americans.

In a statement from Amazon to GeekWire, Bezos said, “Dan is such a great guy and I’m happy and excited for both of them.”

A Lakeside parent who was connected to GeekWire said Jewett was a popular teacher at the school. He previously taught at the Bush School, another private school in Seattle. Jewett is no longer listed as a faculty member on the Lakeside Online Directory.

Bezos, who announced he is stepping down from the CEO position at Amazon earlier this year, is dating TV presenter and helicopter pilot Lauren Sanchez.

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