Jeff Bezos has sold $5.7 billion worth of Amazon stock since star-studded Venice wedding
The sales began when Bezos disposed of $737 million around his weekend nuptials in Venice on June 27. The transactions were part of a trading plan for up to 25 million shares that he adopted earlier this year.
The final portion of the 25 million share sale occurred Wednesday and Thursday, when Bezos sold approximately 4.2 million shares valued at $954 million.
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3 Jeff Bezos sold an eye-popping $5.7 billion worth of Amazon stock since tying the knot with Lauren Sánchez last month, according to government filings.
Spread Pictures / MEGA
These share sales occurred during a period of strong performance for Amazon stock, which has climbed 38% since hitting a recent bottom in late April.
Market watchers are anticipating Amazon's upcoming earnings report as they evaluate whether the company's substantial artificial intelligence investments will generate returns.
Bloomberg data indicates Bezos, who stepped down as the company's chief executive in July 2021, has now divested more than $50 billion worth of Amazon shares since 2002.
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Despite these sales, the Amazon chairman maintains ownership of roughly 884 million shares, representing over 8% of the company.
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index ranks him as the world's third-wealthiest individual, with his $252.3 billion net worth primarily derived from his Amazon holdings.
The share transactions were completed through a 10b5-1 trading plan, a mechanism commonly employed by corporate executives to prevent potential insider trading violations.
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3 The Amazon founder and his bride wed during a star-studded event in Venice, Italy on June 27.
@laurensanchezbezos via REUTERS
Bezos has consistently sold Amazon shares over time, offloading 75 million shares in the previous year for $13.6 billion.
The stock sales are often intended to direct proceeds toward funding his other business interests, including his space venture Blue Origin. Additionally, he donated shares valued at approximately $190 million to charitable organizations in 2025.
Records dating back to 2002 show Bezos made only one Amazon stock purchase, acquiring a single share for $114.77 two years ago.
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3 Bezos, who stepped down as the company's chief executive in July 2021, has now divested more than $50 billion worth of Amazon shares since 2002.
Sergio – stock.adobe.com
Bezos' $5.7 billion in stock sales this year exceeds the divestiture amounts of other major corporate insiders, including Oracle Corp. CEO Safra Catz, who sold $2.5 billion worth of shares in the first half of the year, and Dell Technologies Inc.'s Michael Dell, who disposed of a $1.2 billion stake.
Neither Amazon nor Bezos representatives provided immediate responses to requests for comment.
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