Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and the world's 19th richest man, has acquired The Washington Post, long one of the country's most influential and prestigious daily newspapers, for $250 million, the companies announced today.
Last week, Bezos sold about $185 million worth of Amazon shares, though it's unclear whether the sale is connected to the acquisition.
By acquiring a cornerstone of Washington DC media, Bezos immediately becomes a player in the nation's capital and expands his already significant profile in the media world. Founded 136 years ago, the Post is best known for its reporting on the Watergate scandal, which led to the resignation of US President Richard Nixon in 1974. That story elevated the publication from well-respected regional daily paper to an internationally recognized news organization.
http://bit.ly/19IW65m
