Jeff Bezos' move to retain control of Amazon following divorce

Amazon boss Jeff Bezos has ensured he will retain control of the online retail giant, despite divorcing wife of 25 years MacKenzie.

Bezos, 55, is the world's richest man, with US $137 billion (AUD $190 billion) at stake.

With no prenuptial agreement, the couple is expected to share equally in the fortune.

However a source has told the Daily Mail that Bezos has taken measures to ensure he retains control of the company.

"People have been speculating that because of his divorce, his wife will get half his shares and that will put the future of the company in jeopardy," they say. "But this was all worked out last year. Amazon is not in danger. 

"The divorce settlement is far further along than anyone knows," they continue. "Both Jeff and his wife are smart people. He is keeping control of Amazon."

Bezos and MacKenzie announced their separation on Twitter last week, saying they were parting as "cherished friends" and would divorce after "a long period of loving exploration and trial separation".

It was later revealed Bezos is in a relationship with former TV anchor Lauren Sanchez, 49, who is in the process of divorcing her Hollywood talent agent husband, Patrick Whitesell.

The Amazon divorce is set to be the biggest in history, with the couple failing to put a pre-nuptial agreement in place and living in a 'community property' in Washington DC, which deems a couple equally entitled to the wealth, regardless of who earned it.

"The majority of Jeff's wealth is tied up in Amazon shares," the source continues. "He will retain control of the company and will remain a majority shareholder. The deal is still being worked out because there are so many complex assets, but there is no danger of him losing his majority stake in Amazon.

"That has been agreed."

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