5 most famous Jeff Bezos controversies

From founding Amazon, one of the most influential companies of the 21st century, to owning The Washington Post, Jeff Bezos has left an undeniable mark on global business and media.

Yet, behind his empire lies a series of scandals and controversies that have often overshadowed his success.

Here are five of the most high-profile controversies tied to the billionaire.

1. Bezos’ extortion and blackmail scandal (2019)

In 2019, Bezos, then married to MacKenzie Scott, accused the publisher of the National Enquirer of extortion after it threatened to release his intimate texts and photos amid his affair with Lauren Sánchez.

In a public blog post, Bezos exposed the tabloid’s tactics, igniting a media firestorm and thrusting his personal life into the spotlight.

2. Bezos’s phone hacking incident (2020)

A 2020 UN-backed forensic analysis concluded that Bezos’s phone was likely hacked in 2018 after he received a WhatsApp message from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Investigators claimed gigabytes of data were siphoned from his device, although Saudi Arabia denied involvement.

3. Amazon’s workplace and tax practices

Amazon under Bezos faced heavy criticism over harsh warehouse conditions, surveillance of workers, and union-busting tactics.

Reports of grueling shifts and limited breaks painted a grim picture of employee welfare. At the same time, the company drew scrutiny for tax avoidance strategies in the US and Europe.

Bezos was also portrayed as a demanding boss, with reports of him berating staff and fostering a cutthroat environment.

4. Conflict of interest at “The Washington Post”

Bezos’s ownership of “The Washington Post” has long been questioned. In 2018, hundreds of employees demanded better pay and benefits, while critics accused him of editorial interference.

In 2024, his alleged decision to block the paper from endorsing Kamala Harris for president further fueled debate over his influence on the newsroom.

5. The lavish yet controversial Venice wedding (2025)

Bezos’s wedding to media personality Lauren Sánchez took place in Venice, Italy, between June 26 to June 28, 2025, sparking environmental protests.

Critics condemned the carbon footprint of private jets ferrying wealthy guests and accused the couple of treating a city endangered by rising seas as a luxury playground.

Several activists unfurled banners reading “Tax the rich to give back to the planet.”