The Real Owner of Amazon: An In-Depth Exploration

Introduction to Amazon's Ownership

America's leading online retail giant, Amazon, has a complex ownership structure that has evolved over the years. Originally started by Jeff Bezos in 1994, the company has grown to become a global leader in e-commerce. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of who owns Amazon today and the history behind its ownership structure.

Jeff Bezos: The Founding Owner

Jeff Bezos, an American entrepreneur and the mind behind the behemoth that is Amazon, remains the largest individual shareholder of the company. Jeff Bezos, who is also the founder and former CEO of Amazon, retains a significant majority of the shares, currently holding about 1.26 billion shares, which constitute 12.3% of the company's outstanding shares. As of the latest data, Jeff Bezos holds a net worth of over 188.975/share, placing him among the world's wealthiest individuals.

Leadership Change: A Transition in Management

While Jeff Bezos began and significantly steered Amazon's growth, he stepped down as CEO on July 5, 2021, appointing Andre Jassy as his successor. Despite this change in management, Bezos retains his position as the Executive Chair of the board. This transition marks a new era for Amazon under Jassy, yet Bezos remains deeply involved and influential in the company's direction.

Amazon's Shareholders and Ownership

As a publicly traded company, Amazon's ownership is distributed among a diverse group of shareholders. The largest single shareholder is, of course, Jeff Bezos, followed by various institutional investors. Notable institutional shareholders include:

Vanguard Group BlackRock State Street Corporation

These investors have significant stakes in Amazon, helping to stabilize and support the company's stock performance.

Public Trading and Retail Operations

Amazon, despite its complex ownership structure, functions as a publicly traded company. This means that while Bezos remains the largest shareholder, the common stocks of Amazon are traded on the stock market. The current trading price is listed at 188.975/share, reflecting the company's ongoing success in the e-commerce and cloud computing sectors.

Further Reading on Jeff Bezos and Amazon's History

To gain a more in-depth understanding of Jeff Bezos and Amazon's journey, consider exploring the following resources:

Jeff Bezos - Wikipedia Who Owns Amazon? Top Shareholders and Owners Jeff Bezos: Biography, Amazon Founder, Blue Origin Founder

Conclusion

While Jeff Bezos remains the largest individual owner of Amazon, the company is also influenced by a diverse group of institutional shareholders. The evolution of Amazon's leadership signifies a smooth transition into a new era of growth and innovation, with Bezos playing a more strategic role as an Executive Chair.