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TRILL OF THE CHASE

Jeff Bezos on course to become world’s first TRILLIONAIRE as Amazon plagued by coronavirus deaths

WHILE Amazon's workers continue to die from coronavirus, CEO Jeff Bezos is edging closer to being crowned the world's first trillionaire, new analysis shows.

He and the nation’s wealthiest billionaires have seen their net worth rocket by tens of millions of dollars during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic due to more people staying indoors during lockdown.

 Rolling in money: Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos
Rolling in money: Amazon.com founder Jeff BezosCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Software-review site Comparisun claims that "Jeff Bezos is the first to hit the $100billion mark and could be the world’s first trillionaire sooner than you’d think."

The website reckons he'll achieve that lofty accolade in five years' time.

"We’ve analysed historical valuations of some of the world’s richest companies and individuals in an attempt to predict when they’ll join the Trillion Dollar Club.

"Google look set to join their fellow tech giants Apple and Microsoft in hitting the $1 trillion mark within the next year," it adds.

Comparisun says that, "despite losing an estimated $38billion as part of his recent divorce, Jeff Bezos is still by far the world’s richest person".

The site claims his, "net worth has grown by 34 per cent on average over the last five years, which could potentially see him become the world’s first trillionaire as early as 2026, at which point he’ll be aged 62."

By comparison, "while he might have to wait a couple of extra years, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg could gain trillionaire status at a younger age than Bezos, as his current rate growth would see him worth $1 trillion aged 51.

"Of the 25 individuals we analysed, only eleven realistically have a chance of becoming a trillionaire during their lifetime, based on their recent rate of wealth growth."

 Jeff Bezos leads the way to becoming the world's first trillionaire, according to Comparisun
Jeff Bezos leads the way to becoming the world's first trillionaire, according to ComparisunCredit: Comparisun

On Twitter, people have been fuming about the claim, with one man commenting that Bezos “is about to become the world's first trillionaire at a time where more than two hundred million people around the world have lost their jobs in the last two months.

"And many cannot put food on the table.

"Humanity sure managed to f*** things up somewhere along the way."

Another tweeted: "So let me get this straight, people are mad at #JeffBezos because WE the consumer continue to buy his product. Yes that's smart."

 Above: stunned people react to Bezos' colossal fortune on Twitter
Above: stunned people react to Bezos' colossal fortune on Twitter

But Forbes has quashed the analysis, dismissing it as "months old" while adding that "Bezos has a long way to go to become the world's first trillionaire.

"At time of publication, Forbes values the 56-year-old's net worth to be $144billion.

"He owns an 11.2 per cent stake in Amazon, and his wealth has surged upwards from around $125billion in March."

Forbes agrees, though, that "Amazon is predicted to be one of the winners of the pandemic, as demand for online shopping, streaming and delivery services [soars]."

Bezos made the publication's famous list of 400 wealthiest Americans back in 1998 - four years after he launched Amazon.

MORE DEATHS

Claims about his mammoth wealth coincide with Amazon's workforce losing more lives to coronavirus.

An Amazon warehouse worker in Long Island, New York has become its sixth employee to died from the coronavirus, the company has confirmed.

A group of 13 US attorneys general has asked Amazon to provide data on coronavirus-related deaths and infections among its workforce, along with evidence of the firm’s compliance with paid sick leave laws.

CNBC reports that George Leigh, 59, a dad and grandfather, died of Covid-19 on April 9.

Amazon spokesperson Lisa Levandowski said: “We are saddened by the loss of an associate who had worked at our site in Bethpage, New York.

“His family and loved ones are in our thoughts.”

On Tuesday, May 12, officials asked for a state-by-state breakdown of the number of Amazon workers, including those at Whole Foods, who have been infected or died from Covid-19.

The letter, led by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, was joined by states including Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

They asked for assurance that Amazon would not retaliate against workers who raise concerns about health and safety issues with management, the media, co-workers or relevant government agencies.

In a statement, Amazon said it is committed to ensuring a safe workplace and has implemented over 150 changes, including distributing face masks to warehouse workers.

 Jeff Bezos owns an 11.2 per cent stake in Amazon, and his wealth has surged upwards during the pandemic
Jeff Bezos owns an 11.2 per cent stake in Amazon, and his wealth has surged upwards during the pandemicCredit: The Mega Agency
Amazon activists scrawl ‘protect workers’ in giant letters on street outside Bezos’ $23M mansion in coronavirus protest


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