Jeff Bezos’ Ex-Wife, Once Toni Morrison’s Student, Doubles Up Her Donation at HBCU.

Jeff Bezos’ Ex-Wife, Once Toni Morrison’s Student, Doubles Up Her Donation at HBCU.

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MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and a former student of literary icon Toni Morrison, has made headlines for her continued philanthropic efforts.

Known for her commitment to racial equity and education, Scott recently doubled her donation to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, contributing $70 million to the United Negro College Fund.

Her connection to Toni Morrison, who mentored her during her time at Princeton University, continues to influence her values and approach to giving.

This latest donation is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the financial future of 37 HBCUs, aiming to close funding gaps and support long-term sustainability.

The impact of the donation is significant, raising median endowments and enabling institutions to invest in scholarships, faculty development, and infrastructure improvements.

Scott’s philanthropic style is characterized by unrestricted and trust-based giving, allowing organizations to allocate funds according to their most urgent needs.

She is a mother of four children, shared with Jeff Bezos, and her net worth is estimated at approximately $34 billion as of 2025.

Professionally, Scott is a novelist and philanthropist.

Scott studied English at Princeton and won the American Book Award in 2006 for her debut novel, The Testing of Luther Albright.

She is also the founder of Bystander Revolution, an anti-bullying organization, and a signatory of the Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of her wealth.

Her donations are often made anonymously unless disclosed by the recipients, according to reports.