In today's blog post, we revisit the fascinating forays into the marriage of Jeff Bezos, who has recently announced his engagement to news anchor and entertainment reporter Lauren Sánchez. The founder of Amazon returns to the spotlight due to a development that piques our interest. No, it doesn't involve him granting free Amazon delivery for eternity. Instead, it seems that Mr. Bezos is taking a huge step by entering into a prenuptial agreement on his second marriage.
The cost of not getting a prenup is higher than Amazon’s same-day delivery rates
For regular folks, tying the knot without a prenuptial agreement is like wandering into a financial jungle with a blindfold on. If you’re madly in love, you might assume that love will conquer all. But without a prenup, your hard-earned assets could be up for grabs like items on an Amazon Black Friday sale. Simply put, your beloved quilt collection could become the subject of heated negotiations.
For non-regular folks like Jeff Bezos (and the Gateses), the cost of not getting a prenup is around $38 billion. That’s what it cost him when he got divorced from his ex MacKenzie Scott. To this day, Mr. Bezos remains one of the richest men alive, but losing $38 billion must have stung.
It's worth noting that the exes didn't sign a prenup back when they got married, probably because they had no clue they were destined for unimaginable wealth. And as the saying goes, behind every successful man is a woman who walks away with billions when they split, all because they forgot to ink that prenuptial agreement.
An engagement party on a $500-million yacht is a billionaire's version of "keeping it low-key"
Nevertheless, Mr. Bezos is particularly focused on safeguarding his billions this time. Having gone through a divorce without a prenuptial agreement in his first marriage, he now possesses the advantage of hindsight. It's no secret that divorcees are often more inclined to opt for a prenup in subsequent marriages, as they’ve likely learned their lesson.
In May, he proposed to his partner Lauren Sánchez with a 20-carat diamond ring on his $500-million yacht. It seems that Mr. Amazon is letting love steer the ship, but when you're worth a cool $120 billion, popping the question with a $2.5-million ring on your megayacht is just a regular proposal. Despite having the means to splurge on a fancy ring and a breathtaking engagement venue, Mr. Bezos is reportedly not taking any chances and is opting for an ironclad prenup this time around.
For more information on Jeff Bezos, his wealth, and his previous divorce than you could possibly need, read:
Primed for separation: Things we learned from the Bezoses’ finalized divorce
Mr. Amazon versus Mrs. Bezos: Who wins and who loses?
For more information on Jeff Bezos, his wealth, and his previous divorce than you could possibly need, read:
Primed for separation: Things we learned from the Bezoses’ finalized divorce
Mr. Amazon versus Mrs. Bezos: Who wins and who loses?
An ironclad prenup won't send the less wealthy spouse to financial purgatory
Ms. Sánchez may not be a billionaire (at least not yet), but she wouldn't walk away from the marriage empty-handed in the event of a divorce, even with an ironclad prenuptial agreement meticulously crafted by Mr. Bezos's lawyers.
The beauty of a well-crafted prenuptial agreement is that it can save the day if a couple split. With an ironclad agreement in place, they can navigate the choppy waters of divorce without turning into sworn enemies. While the prenup safeguards their individual assets, it also fosters fairness and mutual respect.
In fact, Mr. Bezos has such astronomical wealth that he could afford to be exceedingly generous toward Ms. Sánchez even if they do call it quits, and it wouldn't make a noticeable dent in his billions. He could propose a structured payment plan linked to the duration of their marriage, offering it as an alternative to dividing his assets or providing spousal support. This is usually a good option for people whose assets include a space exploration company and an overpriced clock.
But where Mr. Bezos and Ms. Sánchez decide to tie the knot can have quite an impact on the fine print of their prenup. That’s because in most jurisdictions, including Washington State, assets acquired before the marriage are usually deemed as "separate property." Because of Mr. Bezos's colossal wealth, there's considerable risk if they happen to settle down in a jurisdiction that doesn’t recognize this principle. This could mean a potential bitter battle for the Bezos billions.
That being said, their marriage also has the potential to lead to a happily ever after, even if they split. While she'll be living a comfortable life, he'll keep on raking in money from each and every one of your Amazon orders.
When it comes to family law cases in Washington State, Buckingham, LaGrandeur, & Williams is the legal representation you need. Call our law offices in Renton.