And finally… Amazon founder’s billionaire ex-wife to give away half of her settlement fortune

Herself a highly-acclaimed authoer in her own right, her divorce settlement with her ex-husband catapulted her into the position of the third-richest women in the world but she has now vowed to join fellow billionaires such as investor Warren Buffett and Microsoft founder Bill Gates in the Giving Pledge.

The pledge was started in 2010 by 40 of the wealthiest people in the US led by Mr Buffett and Mr Gates and calls for the richest to give away half or more of their wealth.

Ms Bezos and Mr Bezos divorced earlier this year and acquired 4 per cent of Amazon in the settlement.

“In addition to whatever assets life has nurtured in me, I have a disproportionate amount of money to share,” she said in a statement. “My approach to philanthropy will continue to be thoughtful. It will take time and effort and care.”

The Giving Pledge has been signed by 204 individuals, couples and families from 23 countries.

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, CNN founder Ted Turner and entertainment executive Barry Diller were among the initial signatories in 2010.

Pledges this year have come from hedge fund billionaire Paul Tudor Jones; Jeremy Grantham, who is co-founder of US investment firm GMO; and Emirati businessman Sheikh Mohammed bin Musallam bin Ham Al Ameri.