Edith Hejberg
Despite being one of the richest men on the planet, Jeff Bezos kept his official annual salary at Amazon surprisingly low.
For years, the billionaire founder earned just over $80,000 a year.
Stepping Back, But Not Away from Ambition
At 61, Bezos stepped down as Amazon CEO to focus on other ventures, including his space exploration company, Blue Origin.
The firm made headlines earlier this year when it took pop star Katy Perry into space.
A Lavish Personal Life
Away from the boardroom, Bezos has splashed out on a high‑profile marriage to journalist Lauren Sanchez.
The newlyweds even joined Perry for that brief journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Why He Kept His Salary Low
Speaking to The New York Times, Bezos explained his thinking: as a founder owning more than 10% of Amazon, he didn’t feel comfortable taking more money. “I had plenty of incentive,” he said, emphasising he wanted the company to thrive rather than pad his paycheck.
Prioritising Equity Over Cash
Bezos described himself and other entrepreneurs as “owner‑operators”, people who create wealth not by collecting larger salaries but by making the value of their equity grow over time.
The Real Fortune Came Elsewhere
While his salary seemed modest, Bezos’ stake in Amazon made him staggeringly wealthy.
Between 2023 and 2024, his net worth effectively grew by around $8 million an hour, making his official wages almost irrelevant.
A Direct Email from the Warehouse Floor
In 2020, Amazon warehouse employee Tara Jones noticed missing pay from her check.
Struggling to cover bills, she sent an email directly to Bezos to raise the issue.
Bezos’ Response Triggered a Bigger Probe
Rather than ignoring the message, Bezos forwarded the complaint internally.
This prompted a deeper investigation, revealing that underpayment issues had affected staff at 179 warehouses for about 18 months.
Company‑First Mindset in Action
For Bezos, both his pay restraint and his willingness to act on employee concerns underscored his “company‑first” approach, even if his immense personal wealth meant he could afford to take that stance.
The Next Frontier: Hotels in Space
With his fortune still growing, Bezos is eyeing his most ambitious project yet: turning the International Space Station into a luxury hotel in orbit.
If successful, it could redefine what’s possible for tourism beyond Earth.
