Here’s some happy news for your Tuesday afternoon. MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezo, has found her second chance at happiness. It was announced last Saturday that MacKenzie married Dan Jewett, a science teacher at the private school her four kids attend in Seattle. What’s even nicer is that Dan made the official announcement on MacKenzie’s page on The Giving Pledge, the site created by Warren Buffet on which the world’s wealthiest people pledge their fortunes to benefit others.
MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist, author and former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has married a Seattle science teacher. Dan Jewett made the announcement in a letter to the website of the nonprofit organization the Giving Pledge on Saturday.
Jewett said he never imagined he would be in a position to talk about giving away significant wealth during his lifetime in order to make a difference in other people’s lives. He expressed gratitude “for the exceptional privilege it will be to partner in giving away assets with the potential to do so much good when shared.”
Jewett has been a teacher for decades and most recently taught chemistry at the private Lakeside School, where Scott’s children attended.
“And now, in a stroke of happy coincidence, I am married to one of the most generous and kind people I know – and joining her in a commitment to pass on an enormous financial wealth to serve others,” Jewett wrote.
Well Dan sounds like a stand-up guy. There are no details about the courtship, like how long they’ve known each other or dated. We don’t know if Dan actually taught MacKenzie’s kids or if he just taught at the school they attended. One would think he wasn’t actually their teacher because what teenager is going to tolerate their mom dating their Chemistry teacher? “Ew, Mom – Mr. Jewett? No! Wait… can I get out of the final?” You can read the full announcement here. It’s quite lovely. In addition to the part about always wanting to give away his income but never thinking he had anything significant to give, Dan discussed how much value people have brought to his life by educating him and showing him tolerance. He said this was what drew him to MacKenzie and that she has, “seen her efforts enhanced when she acts on the belief that those with common values but different perspectives, strengths, and experiences are essential to effecting positive change.” It’s not your usual wedding announcement filled with billowy affirmations of love and blind devotion. I love it. Plus, announcing your marriage to a billionaire and your intent to give away that fortune in the same letter sends a solid message about marrying with the right intentions. MacKenzie has proven who she is, I have no doubt she married her equal.
Ol’ Jeffy chimed in as well with a statement in The Wall Street Journal. It’s behind a paywall so I can’t use it here. However, Jeff is all smiles and thumbs up for the happy couple, going on the record to say, “Dan is such a great guy, and I am happy and excited for the both of them.” This is nice. Obviously, the end of the Bezo marriage wasn’t as clean as it could have been but Jeff and MacKenzie were never cruel to each other in the press and my guess is they’ve made their peace. It sounds like MacKenzie is getting on with her life and she’s living it the best she can so good for her. Congratulations to the happy couple.
Photos credit: Getty, Mackenzie Scott and via Instagram
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