Jeff Bezos, the founder of the global e-commerce giant Amazon, space tech firm Blue Origin, and one of the planet’s richest individuals, is leaving Seattle.
Seattle is the city synonymous with the company’s rapid rise from a garage startup to a tech powerhouse. The 59-year-old magnate announced his intentions to move to Miami, a city he is familiar with from his teenage years, in an Instagram post on Thursday evening.
The billionaire entrepreneur said that his decision was fueled by a desire to be closer to family, including his parents and his partner, Lauren Sánchez. Bezos. Bezos stepped down from his role as Amazon’s CEO nearly three years ago. He also gave a professional motive behind the move, citing operations for his aerospace manufacturer and sub-orbital spaceflight services company, Blue Origin. Those operations are progressively being transferred to Cape Canaveral, situated roughly 200 miles north of Miami. Bezos recently contracted with United Launch Alliance to put his first two protype satellites in orbit in an internet venture known as Project Kuiper.
Move Announced On Social Media
In his social media revelation, Bezos acknowledged the bittersweet nature of departing from Seattle. The city that has been his base for the longest period in his life. Alongside his announcement, Bezos shared a nostalgic video, giving viewers a glimpse of Amazon’s original office—a simple room equipped with just a desk and a fax machine—captured on film by his father.
Jeff Bezos’ departure marks the end of an era for Seattle. The city that has witnessed Amazon’s expansion from its modest origins in 1994 to a colossal force in retail and technology. Bezos’ connection with Miami will be substantial as he has recently made significant real estate investments there. Those investments include the acquisition of a lavish $79 million mansion in the affluent enclave of Indian Creek. Locals know Indian Creek colloquially as “Billionaire Bunker”. This purchase followed a similar one two months prior, solidifying his residential presence among other celebrities and business luminaries.
Despite stepping back from day-to-day operations at Amazon, Bezos remains a formidable figure in the company. He remains its executive chair and largest shareholder. Bezos is also channeling his energies into philanthropic efforts and Blue Origin’s endeavors in the burgeoning space industry.
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