Billionaire Jeff Bezos launched the Courage and Civility Award in 2021 to support philanthropists.
Courtesy of the Bezos Courage and Civility Awards

Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos Gives $100 Million to Eva Longoria and Bill McRaven in Courage and Civility Award

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez have given away $100 million to a retired Navy admiral and actress Eva Longoria as part of the billionaire’s annual prize to individuals who make significant contributions to society.

The Desperate Housewives star and Bill McRaven, a veteran and former chancellor of the University of Texas System have been awarded $50 million each to help those in need.

Bezos—who has a net worth of around $200 billion—launched the Courage and Civility Award in 2021 to support philanthropists.

Van Jones, a lawyer and CNN commentator, and the lauded chef and humanitarian José Andrés were the first recipients of the prize.

How Eva Longoria and Bill McRaven Will Use the Money

Longoria, who founded The Eva Longoria Foundation, plans to continue her work in promoting education and entrepreneurship for Latinas and supporting the special needs community through Eva’s Heroes.

Her focus on empowering women stems from her belief that they are the changemakers in families and that improving the lives of women can lead to the improvement of communities and nations.

McRaven, known for overseeing the operation that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, will dedicate the funding to develop education programs for future military leaders, provide support for the children of deceased veterans, and offer mental health services for those who serve.

Bezos’ Mission to Give Away His Wealth

Jeff Bezos, the world’s second-richest man, has been on a mission to give away the majority of his wealth during his lifetime.

Since stepping down as Amazon’s CEO, Bezos has increased his philanthropic efforts. He has committed $10 billion to climate change efforts through the Bezos Earth Fund and has supported homeless families through his Bezos Day 1 Families Fund.

Last year alone, Bezos donated $117 million for homeless families, bringing his total donations to nearly $640 million.

Despite his substantial contributions, some critics argue that Bezos’ philanthropy remains insufficient compared to his wealth. While he has not signed the Giving Pledge, an initiative that encourages billionaires to give away a significant portion of their fortunes, it has been endorsed by a number of billionaires, including Elon Musk and his ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott.