Jeff Bezos Net Worth and Wealth Milestones in 2018
In 2018 Jeff Bezos became the first person since Bill Gates in 1999 to reach a net worth over 100 billion dollars according to Forbes estimates. His wealth surged on strong Amazon stock performance as Amazon sales grew and AWS revenue expanded rapidly during the year. Forbes tracked his net worth as it climbed past 112 billion dollars in October 2018. Bezos regularly appeared at the top of global rich lists, with Bloomberg and Forbes updating his position as Amazon shares hit new highs.
Bezos's wealth in 2018 was driven by his roughly 16 percent stake in Amazon, which had become the most valuable public company by market capitalization that year. Amazon's quarterly revenue topped 60 billion dollars for the first time in 2018, with international sales and AWS cloud services contributing large shares of growth. His personal fortune rose and fell with Amazon stock, but the overall trend in 2018 was a steady increase in both company valuation and his net worth.
Amazon and Business Activities in 2018
Amazon in 2018 continued to expand e-commerce, cloud computing, and hardware, with AWS generating tens of billions in annual revenue and operating profit. The company acquired Whole Foods Market in 2017 and deepened integration of online grocery, cashier less stores, and logistics networks during 2018. Amazon filed annual reports with the SEC showing revenue growth and rising operating cash flow. Bezos focused on long term growth rather than short term profits, investing in fulfillment centers, Prime Video content, and new device launches.
Bezos also spent much of 2018 on philanthropy and long term thinking, announcing the Bezos Day One Fund and the Bezos Earth Fund in later years, while in 2018 he emphasized innovation and scale at Amazon. Amazon launched new Echo devices, expanded Prime benefits, and continued to grow its advertising business as a third major revenue pillar alongside retail and AWS. Business Insider reported that Bezos told shareholders Amazon was willing to accept lower profits for market leadership. The year also saw antitrust scrutiny in the United States and Europe, with regulators examining Amazon's use of third party seller data and market power.
Blue Origin, Washington Post, and Other Ventures
Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Bezos, advanced its reusable rocket programs in 2018, with the New Shepard suborbital vehicle completing multiple successful test flights. Bezos described Blue Origin as a long term project to make space travel more accessible and to support a future of millions of people living and working in space. Blue Origin published updates on its progress and goals, while Bezos used public appearances and interviews to explain his vision for space infrastructure and satellite constellations.
Bezos also maintained ownership of The Washington Post, which continued to operate as a major U.S. newspaper under his personal investment rather than as part of Amazon. In 2018 the Post expanded digital subscriptions and invested in journalism while Bezos focused on long term value over short term returns.