The Bezos divorce has been followed by many around the world for a good reason. As the world’s richest couple, the settlement is a massive division of $138 billion in assets. However, the complexity of the Bezos divorce means that it impacts business interests in Amazon, the Washington Post, Whole Foods and other businesses in which the couple has an interest. There is also the fact that the couple, who had been married for 25 years, had no prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Finally, there was the division of marital assets in the couple’s home state of Washington, which like Texas, is a community property state where assets are typically divided equally.
The arrangement
After announcing their split in January, the couple filed their petition for divorce on April 4, and it will likely be finalized by July. The details of this divorce are extensive; however, it is not a 50-50 split. Some highlights to the couple’s settlement are:
- Jeff will keep all interest in the Washington Post and Blue Origin.
- Jeff will retain 75 percent of the couple’s Amazon stock plus voting control over MacKenzie’s 25 percent.
- MacKenzie’s Amazon interest adds up to around $35 billion, which makes her the fourth richest woman in the world.
A model for others to follow?
The world’s most expensive divorce will also likely be remembered as one of the most aggressively amicable. Despite the leaking of sexts which Jeff Bezos had sent to his semi-celebrity girlfriend Lauren Sanchez, the couple has been nothing but positive in regards to each other publicly. This approach may be due to the amount of money involved, wanting to protect their four kids from a messy, high-profile divorce, or the nature of their relationship. Likely, it is a combination of all three factors.
Legal guidance is still necessary
Despite the amicable approach, the Bezos will still work with attorneys to resolve the countless details that come with large complex estates involving businesses. An experienced Board-Certified Family Law expert who works in Collin County, Dallas County, Denton County, or elsewhere in Texas can provide knowledgeable guidance to ensure that a client’s legal, marital and parental rights are protected under the law in complex cases such as this one.