Amazon founder Jeff Bezos becomes newest $100bn billionaire thanks to Black Friday
His wealth reached the landmark figure in just a few days on the run up to the consumer frenzy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has become the world’s newest and only $100bn billionaire – thanks to a $2.4bn surge in his personal fortune on the run up to Black Friday.
His wealth shot into newfound stratospheres after share prices for the online retailer soared by 2pc on the back of optimism that the company’s value would grow during the spending bonanza.
It came as sales over the internet overall shot up by nearly a fifth (18.4%) on the day - as shoppers snapped up bargains - compared to the same 24-hour period last year, figures show.
Click here for Amazon Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals
The hike in Mr Bezos’s wealth had soared by $32.6bn this year up until Thursday, with the extra $2.4bn landing in his pocket ahead of the consumer frenzy, and secures his position as the world's richest man.
He is trailed by Bill Gates - who saw his fortune reach above $100bn in 1996, the first in the world - when the value of Microsoft surged on Wall Street.
His current wealth is estimated at $86.8bn, but analysts say he would be worth $150bn had he not given away some 700 million in shares in Microsoft and $2.9bn to charity after re-inventing himself as a philanthropist.
But Mr Bezos has to date has not given away any of his wealth, but in June he tweeted that he wanted the help people with his fortune and was looking for ideas for how to share it.
He wrote: “I’m thinking I want much of my philanthropic activity to be helping people in the here and now — short term — at the intersection of urgent need and lasting impact.”
His post to his followers of more than 220,000 quickly turned up more than 22,000 likes and almost 50,000 comments with suggestions as to how Mr Bezos could make a difference.
To date the Amazon founder has not revealed if he has shared any of his fortune.
Mr Bezos started Amazon in his basement in Seattle 22 years ago, after he quit his job as a hedge fund manager in New York.
The company is currently one of world’s leading online retailers, and in April of this year was valued at $430bn, according to CNN.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments