Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has achieved a new personal wealth milestone, with his net worth soaring to a record $228 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This marks a $7 billion increase from his previous peak of $221 billion, which he reached earlier this year in July and again on Tuesday. The surge in his wealth is primarily driven by a significant rise in Amazon’s stock price, with Bezos holding over 926 million shares of the company, making up nearly 9% of Amazon.
The Role of Amazon’s Stock Surge
Amazon’s stock has had a strong performance this year, already gaining more than 40%. This was further boosted by a robust earnings report, which saw the stock price approach $200 per share last week. The upward momentum continued after Donald Trump’s victory in the recent election, with Amazon’s stock hitting a record high of $207.09 on Wednesday. This increase contributed to the Nasdaq 100 index reaching a new peak, where Amazon is a major player.
Bezos and Trump: A Complex Relationship
Despite having a complicated relationship with Trump in the past, Bezos publicly congratulated the former president on his victory. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bezos described Trump’s win as an “extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory.” He went on to wish Trump success in leading the country, emphasizing the vast opportunities available in the nation.
Bezos Defends Independent Political Stance
Bezos has often kept his political views at a distance from Amazon’s operations, even defending his newspaper, The Washington Post, for not endorsing any U.S. presidential candidate in the recent elections. He argued that political endorsements could create a perception of bias, a stance that reflects his broader approach to maintaining the integrity and independence of his business ventures.
As Bezos’s wealth continues to rise with Amazon’s success, his influence in both the business and political spheres remains undeniable.
