Estranged father mum on Amazon CEO

Glendale, Ariz., bike shop owner Ted Jorgensen has had no contact with Jeff Bezos since the Amazon founder was 3-years-old.

PHOENIX -- Glendale bicycle shop owner Ted Jorgensen, who learned nearly a year ago that the son adopted decades ago by his ex-wife's husband is Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos, has had no contact with the Internet entrepreneur since a reporter told him about the connection.

Jorgensen and stepsons Darin and Todd Fala, who were at Road Runner Bike Center on Friday, declined comment but distributed a three-paragraph statement that briefly recounted the family ties that are more fully explained in the cover story of the latest issue of Bloomberg Businessweek.

The magazine article, 'Secret Amazon' by Businessweek reporter Brad Stone, is an excerpt from his book, 'The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon,' which is scheduled to be released Tuesday. It was selling Friday for $16.80 on Amazon.com.

Jorgensen says in his statement that he had regular contact with his son until the boy was 3 and then reluctantly agreed to allow former wife Jacklyn's new husband, Mike Bezos, to adopt the boy.

'This has been a decision that I have regretted my whole life,' Jorgensen says in the statement. 'Jacklyn asked me to not try and contact Jeff as they were going to raise Jeff as their own, and I stated that I would respect her wishes.'

More than four decades later, Stone approached Jorgensen in the small bike shop in a strip mall. After verifying Jorgensen was Bezos's biological father, Stone told him a lot of people were looking for him, Jorgensen says in the statement.

'This was the first time that I learned that Jeff knew that I existed, and had knowledge of his adoption. Had I known that Jeff learned of his adoption at an earlier age, I would have taken steps to locate him,' he says in the statement.

'Because I have not spoken to Jeff since he was 3 years old, I have no further comment at this time. While I have no expectations of Jeff, I am hopeful (as any father would be) that I can begin a relationship with Jeff again, and do not want to make any other statements until I have had the opportunity to do so,' he says in the statement.

Amazon's Jeff Bezos (left) was born to Ted Jorgensen and Jacklyn Gise, who later divorced. Gise married Mike Bezos, who adopted Jeff.(Photo: Stephen Brashear, AP)

Asked Friday whether family members have tried to contact Bezos since learning about the connection on Dec. 12, Darin Fala referred reporters to the statement and declined comment.

According to the Businessweek article, Jorgensen decided this year to reach out to the Bezos family, and he asked his stepson Darin to help him write letters to Bezos and his former wife. Jorgensen's statement does not address the matter.

The shop owner was affable but stayed mostly in the back of the shop while his stepsons spoke with a small group of reporters Friday.

Joregensen and Jacklyn Gise were married in 1963, and Jacklyn gave birth to the boy just two weeks after her 17th birthday, on Jan. 12, 1964, in New Mexico, where they lived.

'Their marriage was probably doomed from the start. Jorgensen had a habit of drinking too much and staying out too late. He was an inattentive dad and husband,' Stone writes in the article.

When the boy was 17 months old, they filed for divorce. Later, she met and married Mike Bezos, asked Jorgensen not to interfere in their lives, and then moved away with her new husband and son, according to the magazine article.

'After thinking it over and reasoning that the boy would probably have a better life as the son of Jackie and her new husband, Ted obliged. After a few years, he lost track of the family and then forgot their last name,' according to Businessweek.

Jorgensen later remarried. His wife, Linda, has four sons from a previous marriage, who all are close with their stepfather, according to the magazine.

On Friday morning, a film crew from the TV show 'Inside Edition' walked into the bike shop. Jorgensen's stepsons asked the cameramen to keep the cameras off. They handed them the written statement and declined further comment.

Amazon.com public-relations executives in Seattle did not immediately return messages seeking comment by Bezos.

The Internet retail company opened in 1995, and, according to its website, offers 'Earth's biggest selection' in such categories as books, movies, music, baby supplies, apparel and groceries.

Lokasi:

Share :