Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiance Lauren Sánchez are spreading some serious wealth, dishing out a cool $100 million as part of Bezos’ annual prize for those making waves in society. This year, the lucky recipients snagging $50 million each are none other than actor-entrepreneur Eva Longoria and retired Navy admiral, Bill McRaven, former bigwig at the University of Texas System.
Dubbed the Bezos Courage and Civility Award, it’s all about recognizing folks who roll up their sleeves to tackle tricky issues, champion unity, and spread civility through their charitable efforts.
First dibs on the prize went to lawyer and CNN pundit Van Jones, alongside culinary maestro José Andrés, bagging a hefty $100 million each back in 2021. Dolly Parton took the crown in 2022, but there was a hiatus in 2023.
Read: Chef Jose Andres: From Michelin Stars to Feeding the World
McRaven, in a statement, outlined his plans to channel the gift into educating the children of fallen soldiers, with a special focus on the special ops community, nurturing the mental well-being of veterans, and grooming future military leaders through education.
Meanwhile, Longoria, best known for her role in the hit drama “Desperate Housewives,” is all about shaking up the status quo in Latino communities. Her Eva Longoria Foundation is on a mission to link up Latinos in low-income areas with mentors, while she’s also throwing her weight behind Latino-owned small businesses with a startup fund.
Read: Eva Longoria: From Desperate Housewives to Empowering Latinas
In an interview with CNN, Longoria gushed about the impact this windfall could have, particularly in bolstering the strength of the Latino community. She’s stoked about the potential of Latinos in the US, but recognizes the need to level the playing field when it comes to opportunities – and she’s ready to invest in making that happen.
