Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is making a big move. After living in Seattle since 1994, Bezos recently announced that he is returning to his high school stomping grounds in Miami. He explained that his parents, Jackie and Miguel Bezos, have set up shop in the Magic City, and he wants to be close to them. Bezos also mentioned that he and his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, love Miami, and that his spaceflight company, Blue Origin, is shifting operations to Cape Canaveral.
Bezos has wasted no time in securing prime real estate in Miami. In August, he purchased a $68 million estate on the exclusive island of Indian Creek Village. And just last month, he added a neighboring $79 million 14-bedroom mansion to his collection. It seems that Bezos is ready to enjoy the luxurious lifestyle that Miami has to offer.
In addition to the announcement of his move, Bezos shared a nostalgic video of Amazon’s first office in Seattle from the 1990s. The video showcases a small and cramped space with outdated computer monitors and a fax machine. It’s a reminder of how far Amazon has come since its humble beginnings in Bezos’ garage.
Bezos is not the only tech-industry leader who has chosen Miami as their new home. Over the past few years, several billionaires, including Paypal cofounder Peter Thiel and Citadel hedge-fund chief Ken Griffin, have flocked to the Miami metro area. With Bezos now joining their ranks, he easily claims the title of the wealthiest resident in Miami.
Bezos’ new neighbors on Indian Creek Village include investor Carl Icahn and NFL legend Tom Brady. The gated island, located in Biscayne Bay, is known for its exclusivity and high property prices. With less than 40 residences, it offers privacy and luxury amenities such as a golf course, country club, and its own municipality and police force.
According to Forbes, Bezos’ net worth is estimated at $161 billion, making him the second-wealthiest person in the United States, just behind Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Despite stepping down as Amazon CEO in 2021, Bezos remains heavily invested in the company, owning approximately ten percent of it.
Bezos’ connection to Miami runs deep. His father, Miguel Bezos, came to the United States as a refugee from Cuba after the Cuban Revolution. The family settled in Miami-Dade County, where Jeff Bezos attended Miami Palmetto Senior High School and even worked at a local McDonald’s. He graduated as valedictorian in 1982 and showed early signs of his interest in space and real estate development.
Since leaving Miami, Bezos has achieved incredible success with Amazon, acquiring the Washington Post, and founding Blue Origin. In July 2021, he made headlines by traveling to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard craft.
With Bezos’ return to Miami, the city’s reputation as a hub for tech billionaires continues to grow. It will be exciting to see what new ventures and projects Bezos will bring to the Magic City as he embarks on this new chapter of his life.