How Jeff Bezos paid for Koru

Jeff Bezos turned paper gains from Amazon stock into liquid cash. He used that money to build the 113.26-metre sailing yacht Koru. The sale of those shares also funded his space company, Blue Origin.

Jeff Bezos bought the 113.26-metre sailing yacht Koru with cash from selling Amazon stock. He delivered the vessel to Oceanco in April 2023. It is now the second-largest sailing yacht in the world.

Bezos founded Amazon in 1994. The company grew into the world's largest online retailer. His wealth comes almost entirely from his ownership stake in Amazon. He did not take a salary from the company for many years. Instead, he relied on the value of his shares rising.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index tracked this growth closely. Forbes also ranked him as the wealthiest person on Earth from 2017 to 2021. In 2026, his net worth was approximately US$284 billion. This figure fluctuates daily with the stock market.

Which sales funded the yacht?

Bezos has sold Amazon shares repeatedly over the last decade. These sales provide the liquid capital needed for large purchases. They also fund his private ventures. The most significant sales occurred between 2016 and 2024.

In May 2016, he sold slightly more than one million shares. This transaction raised US$671 million. It was the largest sum he had ever raised from selling stock at that time. Just weeks later, on August 4, 2016, he sold another million shares. That sale brought in US$756 million.

These figures show the scale of liquidity available to him. By January 2018, his holdings were valued at over US$109 billion. Months later, he began selling stock again. This wave of sales helped raise cash for other enterprises. The primary beneficiary was his aerospace company, Blue Origin.

In February 2024, Bezos sold 24 million shares in Amazon. The total value was US$4 billion. He announced an intention to sell 50 million shares over the next year. These ongoing sales keep his portfolio diversified while providing ready cash for new projects like Koru.

The origin of his first capital was modest. Bezos accepted an estimated US$300,000 from his parents as an investment in Amazon. He warned early investors that there was a 70% chance the company would fail. That risk eventually paid off massively. The IPO in 1997 raised US$54 million. It made him a millionaire in 1997.

What does the sailing constraint mean?

Koru is a three-masted sailing yacht. Its length is 113.26 metres. Oceanco built it in the Netherlands. Construction started in 2021. The design required significant engineering to support the rigging. A vessel of this size needs a strong hull structure.

The masts impose specific constraints on the bow. Traditional sailing yachts have bows designed to handle sail forces. Koru’s navy blue hull accommodates these loads. The shipyard had to reinforce the deck areas where the masts sit. This adds weight and complexity to the build.

The yacht’s name comes from a Māori cultural symbol. It represents a looped fern and signifies new beginnings. Bezos chose this name for his latest major venture. The vessel is reported to cost at least US$500 million.

Annual maintenance costs are also high. Estimates suggest they reach at least US$30 million per year. Sailing yachts require specialized crews and equipment. The rigging needs regular inspection and repair. The sails themselves are expensive to replace.

When commissioned, Koru was the second-largest sailing yacht. It trailed only Andrey Melnichenko’s Sailing Yacht A. The gap between them is small. Both vessels push the limits of what can be sailed at this scale.

Why is Abeona necessary?

Koru does not operate alone. She has a dedicated support vessel named Abeona. Damen Yachting built Abeona. It carries the same flag as Koru: the Cayman Islands.

Abeona measures 75.25 metres in length. It was completed in 2023 alongside Koru. The support vessel provides extra storage and crew accommodation. Large sailing yachts often lack space for all provisions on board.

Abeona allows Koru to stay at sea longer. It carries fuel, food, and water reserves. The crew can rest in separate quarters. This separation improves privacy for the owner. It also keeps the main deck clear for guests.

The cost of Abeona is estimated at US$75 million. Together, the two vessels represent a massive investment. The combined value exceeds US$575 million. This level of spending requires constant liquidity.

How does Blue Origin fit in?

Bezos founded Blue Origin in September 2000. The company focuses on human spaceflight. It builds rockets and sub-orbital vehicles. Bezos has long expressed an interest in space travel. He wants to make humanity multi-planetary.

Blue Origin maintains a low profile. It purchased land in West Texas for testing. The New Shepard vehicle reached space in 2015. It landed vertically back at the launch site. Commercial flights began later.

Bezos sells Amazon stock to fund Blue Origin. He has sold US$1 billion in stock each year since 2016. This capital supports the development of new rockets. It pays for the construction of test facilities.

In July 2021, Bezos flew into space. He launched on the NS-16 mission. The flight lasted over ten minutes. It reached a peak altitude of 66.5 miles. This personal experience underscores his commitment to the company.

Where does the money come from now?

Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon in 2021. He became Executive Chairman. Andy Jassy took over as CEO. Bezos said the move would give him time to focus on other passions. These include Blue Origin and The Washington Post.

He purchased The Washington Post in 2013. He paid US$250 million in cash. He used a holding company called Nash Holdings. The newspaper has been profitable since his purchase. It remains a significant asset in his portfolio.

His net worth remains tied to Amazon’s stock price. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index tracks this daily. Forbes also publishes annual rankings. In 2020, his wealth was estimated at US$204.6 billion. This figure dwarfs most other fortunes.

The sale of shares continues. The 2024 sales totaled US$4 billion. Future sales may add to this total. Each sale provides funds for new acquisitions. Koru is just one example of this strategy.

The yacht reflects the scale of his wealth. It also shows the liquidity of his assets. He can convert billions into cash quickly. This flexibility allows him to pursue diverse interests. From e-commerce to spaceflight, he funds it all through Amazon stock.