Biography & Early Wealth Journey

Mike Bezos is quoted in a press statement on the pledge:

"Science, particularly cancer and virus research, is at such a pivotal point right now. We hope our investment in the Hutch leads to answers for the most pressing medical questions. We also hope this inspires others to join us now in pursuing scientific and medical breakthroughs."

MOLLY RILEY/AFP via Getty Images

Primary Income Streams & Multi-Million Contracts

More specifically, the money will fund the recruitment of new cancer researchers to the institution, as well as the construction of another new facility. And it blows out of the water what had previously been the single largest contribution to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: a $78 million gift from Stuart and Molly Sloan, made just last month.

Ideally, a spirit of competition could inspire other billionaires and philanthropists to try to top the Bezos Family Foundation pledge. As Jackie Bezos says in the statement, the pledge can serve as "a call to action to support the science and be a part of the next breakthroughs."

Cancer research is a popular cause for philanthropy. This year alone, we've seen $100 million go to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York from KKR & Co. co-founder Henry Kravis and economist Marie-Josee Kravis, while Jon Gray of Blackstone and his wife Mindy donated $55 million to the University of Pennsylvania earmarked for an institute focused on detection and prevention of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.

Trending Wealth Dossiers: