Jeff Bezos Sells $5.7 Billion Amazon Shares via SEC 10b5-1 Plan, Retains 884M Stake

Jeff Bezos executed a $5.7 billion sale of Amazon shares between late June and July 2025, including $735 million in transactions on his wedding day to Lauren Sanchez, under a pre-arranged trading plan. The sales, revealed through SEC filings, involved 28.9 million shares sold at prices ranging from $221 to $233 per share. Notably, the largest single-day transaction occurred on June 27, with the disposal of 3.3 million shares generating $735 million. Subsequent sales between July 3 and July 24 added further layers to the selloff, with key trades including 6.6 million shares over two days in late July and 4.1 million shares at prices up to $233. Despite these sales, Bezos retained approximately 884 million Amazon shares, a stake nearly equal to institutional investor Vanguard Group’s 832 million shares. His net worth remains at $252 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, reflecting Amazon’s 5.5% gain over the preceding month and a 26% rise in the past year [1].

The transactions were conducted under a SEC Rule 10b5-1 plan established in early May, a legal framework designed to prevent insider trading allegations by automating trade parameters. The plan outlines criteria for share volume, price, and timing, with execution handled by third-party brokers. This structure has been adopted by other high-profile executives, including Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. The SEC filings also disclosed that Bezos donated 633,812 shares to undisclosed nonprofits in early June, with the transfers linked to the sale of 600,000 shares. The Form 144 filings noted these donations occurred prior to the selloff, though no organizations were identified. Bezos has publicly committed to donating the majority of his wealth during his lifetime but has not signed the Giving Pledge, a global initiative by ultra-wealthy individuals to allocate most of their assets to philanthropy [2].

Amazon’s stock has appreciated 46% over the past five years, reinforcing Bezos’s net worth despite the selloff. The 10b5-1 plan underscores a trend among executives to manage wealth through structured, legally compliant frameworks. While the transactions reduced Bezos’s Amazon holdings by a fraction, they align with his strategy to diversify assets and fund philanthropy. The continued growth of Amazon’s $2.5 trillion market capitalization ensures his remaining stake retains significant value, maintaining his position as the world’s third-richest individual [1].

Source:

[1] Bloomberg, “Bloomberg Billionaires Index,” https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires

[2] Fortune, “Jeff Bezos Sells $5.7 Billion in Amazon Shares After Wedding,” https://fortune.com/2025/07/28/jeff-bezos-amazon-stock-sale-philanthroy-wedding/