Jeff Bezos’s ex-wife MacKenzie Scott marries Seattle school science teacher

Dan Jewett, left, and MacKenzie Scott, in a picture posted to their Giving Pledge page

Credit: The Giving Pledge/Dan Jewett and MacKenzie Scott

MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has remarried to a high school science teacher in her adopted hometown of Seattle.

The philanthropist and novelist, who helped Mr Bezos set up the company and was one of its first employees before divorcing amicably from him in 2019, updated her author biography on her Amazon profile to say that she lives "with her four children and her husband, Dan". 

That appeared to refer to Dan Jewett, a teacher at the exclusive private secondary Lakeside School who has recently been added to Ms Scott’s entry for the Giving Pledge, a charity organisation formed by billionaires who have promised to give away most of their fortunes.

The union was first reported by the Wall Street Journall, which cited a person close to the couple. Mr Bezos welcomed the news, saying: "Dan is such a great guy, and I am happy and excited for the both of them."

Since separating from Mr Bezos, Ms Scott, 50, has given away at least $6bn (£4.3bn) after receiving about $38bn in the divorce, which ended with the largest financial settlement ever and made her the world’s fourth richest woman.

In an entry added to the Giving Pledge’s website some time since Feb 25, Mr Jewett suggested he and Ms Scott had merged their finances, expressing surprise and gratitude that he was now in a position to give away so much.

Mr Jewett said: "It is strange to be writing a letter indicating I plan to give away the majority of my wealth during my lifetime, as I have never sought to gather the kind of wealth required to feel like saying such a thing would have particular meaning. 

"I have been a teacher for the majority of my life, as well as a grateful student of the generosity of those around me…. and now, in a stroke of happy coincidence, I am married to one of the most generous and kind people I know—and joining her in a commitment to pass on an enormous financial wealth to serve others.

"I have seen many ways that MacKenzie has seen her efforts enhanced when she acts on the belief that those with common values but different perspectives, strengths, and experiences are essential to effecting positive change."

Lakeside School is highly prestigious, counting Microsoft founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen, as well as former Washington state governor Booth Gardner and Batman star Adam West, among its alumni.