Jeff Bezos’ first job might surprise you: See where it all started

The countdown has begun for one of the most anticipated weddings of the year: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are about to take the biggest step in their love story after six years together. The couple has chosen Venice, one of the world’s most romantic cities, where everything is ready to welcome the international stars who make up their exclusive guest list. Five luxury hotels have been reserved exclusively for the event, during which the bride will showcase 28 different looks. The celebrations are estimated to cost around $25 million, a price tag only accessible to the ultra-wealthy, like the groom. 

But how did Bezos make a living before founding Amazon and becoming one of the most powerful men on the planet? Let’s rewind.

© Dave Benett/amfAR

Jeff Bezos’s story begins like anyone else’s, with no indication that his name would one day make history in the business world, one of the world’s richest men. At age 16, he landed his first job at McDonald’s, working as a cook and preparing customers’ orders. The hardest part, as Bezos himself has shared, was keeping up during peak hours. 

That temporary job changed his life, influencing how he would later build his own empire, as he learned valuable lessons you won’t find in textbooks. “It's different from what you learn in school. Don't underestimate the value of that,” he said. It was also there that Bezos first realized the importance of customer service, something he would later prioritize at Amazon.

Born in New Mexico in 1964, Bezos studied Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Princeton University, graduating with honors and quickly entering the workforce. Just eight years after graduation, he became vice president at D.E. Shaw & Co., an investment bank known for developing complex mathematical models and sophisticated computer programs designed to capitalize on market anomalies. It was during one of his workdays there that he came across an article highlighting the internet’s rapid annual growth.

That report sparked an idea: to launch an online bookstore offering millions of titles. Bezos kept mulling it over and eventually shared his vision with his boss during a walk through Central Park in New York. "He listened and said it sounded like a great idea, but even better for someone who didn't already have a good job. That logic made sense, and he convinced me to think it over for 48 hours before making a decision," Bezos recounted in a speech at his alma mater.

© Paul Souders

For Bezos, who was 30 years old at the time, it was a tough decision, but he knew he had to try. As he himself acknowledged, he wouldn’t regret attempting something and failing, but he would be haunted by the decision not to try, always wondering what might have happened. 

When he took that huge life ristk, he had the full support of his then-wife, MacKenzie Scott, who encouraged him to trust his instincts. His parents also backed him, even lending him money to help launch his new company.

Amazon launched in 1995 as a large online bookstore but gradually evolved, expanding its catalog to include many other products. A pioneer in e-commerce, it has grown over three decades into one of the largest and most influential companies in the world. Today, Amazon is much more than an online store, it’s a global ecosystem of commerce, technology, logistics, and entertainment, generating annual revenue of roughly 500 billion dollars.

© Kevork Djansezian

Jeff Bezos’ success is more than a Silicon Valley airy tale, it's proof of what can happen when calculated risks meet relentless focus, dedication and ambitious. Whether you see him as an inspiring entrepreneur, question his growing influence, or just love a good underdog story, one thing is certain, Bezos didn’t just build a company, he reshape the digital age and the way we shop today.

And as he prepares to walk down the aisle in Venice, his journey from working at a fast food chatin to billionaire reminds us that sometimes, taking the less certain path can lead to extraordinary places.