Jeff Bezos’ Ex-Wife MacKenzie Scott Under Fire For Alleged Hamas Links?

MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and one of the world’s most influential philanthropists, is facing renewed scrutiny after reports claimed that some organisations she donated to are under investigation by US authorities for alleged links to Hamas.

The controversy has raised questions about oversight and accountability in large-scale charitable giving, even as Scott continues to be widely recognised for distributing billions of dollars to social causes.

Scott, a novelist and philanthropist, has donated tens of billions of dollars since her 2019 divorce from Bezos. Her approach is known for being fast, unrestricted, and largely free of public conditions.

While supporters say this model empowers grassroots organisations, critics argue that it can increase the risk of funds being misused.

Donations under FBI and congressional focus

According to recent media reports, some organisations that received funding connected to Scott’s philanthropic network are now facing FBI and congressional investigations.

These probes are reportedly examining alleged ties between certain nonprofit groups and Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States.

One organisation cited in reports is the Solidaire Network. Scott is said to have donated five million dollars to the network in 2025, following an earlier contribution of ten million dollars in 2021.

The network describes its mission as connecting donors with social movements that aim to promote justice and equality.

Authorities have not publicly accused Scott of wrongdoing, and there is no indication that she was aware of any alleged links at the time of the donations.

The investigations have not concluded, and details remain limited. However, the reports have intensified debate over how billionaire philanthropists vet recipients, especially when donations are made quickly and without restrictions on how funds are used.

A history of rapid and large-scale giving

Since signing the Giving Pledge in 2019, MacKenzie Scott has committed to giving away at least half of her wealth during her lifetime. She has since become one of the largest individual donors in modern history.

In 2020 alone, she donated $5.8 billion to hundreds of organisations. She followed this with billions more in 2021, 2022, and 2023. 

By the end of 2025, Scott had reportedly given away more than $26 billion to over 2,700 organisations across the United States and around the world.

Her donations have supported a wide range of causes. These include racial and gender equity, disaster relief, public health, education, affordable housing, and LGBTQ support services.

She has also made historic contributions to historically Black colleges and universities, often providing gifts that exceeded any previous donations those institutions had received.

Scott’s philanthropy is largely managed through Yield Giving, a platform that publishes information about her donations. The platform emphasises trust in nonprofit leaders and avoids imposing detailed reporting requirements on recipients.

Background and wealth

MacKenzie Scott was married to Jeff Bezos for 25 years. The couple met in the early 1990s while working at an investment firm in New York and married in 1993.

They later moved to Seattle, where Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 with Scott playing an early role in the company’s development.

Their divorce in 2019 drew global attention due to its scale. As part of the settlement, Scott received four per cent of Amazon’s stock, valued at around $36 billion at the time. The agreement made her one of the wealthiest women in the world overnight.

Since then, Scott has steadily reduced her Amazon stake as she channels wealth into philanthropy. Forbes currently estimates her net worth at around $30 billion, reflecting both market changes and her continued giving.

Ongoing debate over oversight in philanthropy

The current controversy has renewed discussion about the balance between speed and scrutiny in charitable donations.

Scott’s supporters argue that her approach addresses urgent needs and corrects long-standing inequalities in funding. They point out that many traditional grant systems are slow and burdensome, often excluding smaller organisations.

Critics, however, say the allegations highlight potential weaknesses in due diligence. They argue that when billions of dollars move quickly through nonprofit networks, the risk of indirect exposure to extremist groups increases, even if unintentional.

At present, neither Scott nor Yield Giving has been accused of violating any laws. The investigations remain focused on the recipient organisations rather than the donors.

As authorities continue their work, the situation underscores the growing complexity of global philanthropy in a highly charged political and security environment.