Bezos says he'll donate most of his billions before death, with climate change a top priority

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos intends to give away most of his $124 billion net worth before he dies.

Bezos made the proclamation in a CNN interview aired Sunday in which he said most of the money will go toward fighting climate change and to those who seek to unify a politically- and socially-divided world.

"Yeah, I do," said Bezos when asked whether he intends to donate the majority of his wealth within his lifetime.

The roughly 20-minute interview was his and partner Lauren Sanchez's first together since they started dating in 2019 and was intended to highlight the Bezos Courage and Civility Award, granted this year to musician Dolly Parton.

The couple on Saturday night announced a $100 million grant to Parton.

CNN says Bezos' comments on giving marked the first time he has announced plans to give away most of his money, though he was light on specifics.

The billionaire, who also owns The Washington Post, has reportedly has been criticized for not signing the Giving Pledge, a promise by hundreds of the world's wealthiest people to donate the majority of their net worth to charitable causes.

Bezos is the fourth-wealthiest person in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.