Jeff Bezos, the visionary entrepreneur who founded Amazon in his Seattle garage in 1994 and played a significant role in transforming the city into a tech hub, announced on Thursday that he is bidding farewell to his home of three decades and moving to Miami.
The reason behind the decision
The 59-year-old Bezos shared his decision on Instagram, citing a desire to be closer to his parents, who recently returned to Miami, where he had attended high school. He also mentioned wanting to be nearer to his partner, Lauren Sánchez. Another key reason for the move is the shifting operations of his rocket company, Blue Origin, to Cape Canaveral, Florida, which is just over 200 miles north of Miami along the state’s Atlantic coast.
Last month, Bloomberg News reported that Bezos had purchased a mansion in South Florida for a staggering $79 million, shortly after buying an adjacent property for $68 million. Bezos is currently the world’s third-richest person with a net worth of $161 billion, according to Bloomberg.
In his Instagram post, Bezos acknowledged the emotional significance of leaving Seattle, where he had lived longer than anywhere else and created “amazing memories.” He wrote, “As exciting as the move is, it’s an emotional decision for me. Seattle, you will always have a piece of my heart.”
Here’s why Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos is leaving Seattle for Miami
Seattle Office Tour
To mark the occasion, Bezos posted a short video on Instagram, giving a tour of Amazon’s first office, which was situated in his modest Seattle garage. The video depicts a young Bezos in good spirits, wearing jeans and casually discussing the challenges of the early days of Amazon. He points to a large orange extension cord, which was used because the office lacked sufficient power, and highlights the simplicity of their setup. At the end of the video, he mentions, “It doesn’t take long to tour the offices of Amazon dot-com Inc.”
The reaction of the residents of both Seattle and Miami to Bezos’ relocation remains uncertain. Over the years, Amazon has become a global giant in e-commerce, reshaping the city of Seattle and significantly contributing to its economy. In 2021, Amazon became the world’s largest retail seller outside of China. Jeff Bezos’ move to Miami marks a significant shift for the tech titan and may have further implications for Amazon and his other ventures in the future.
