Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the wealthiest individuals globally, showed up at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami-Dade on Monday to fulfill his jury duty obligation, as reported by NBC 6, which caught the billionaire leaving the courthouse.
The 62-year-old entrepreneur waved to the cameras as he exited the building but refrained from making any comments to the media.
Reporters attempted to question him about the Amazon cargo plane crash that occurred on September 6 at Miami International Airport, resulting in five fatalities. Bezos did not provide any response and headed straight to his awaiting vehicle.
No longer overseeing Amazon's daily operations since stepping down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2021, the billionaire remains connected to the company as the executive chairman of the board. He continues to be one of the most recognized figures associated with Amazon.
Bezos’ presence in Miami coincides with a challenging time for the company following the crash of flight 7598, operated by 21 Air for Amazon Prime Air.
Just hours before his court appearance, Amazon announced it had suspended operations with Miami-based 21 Air, further intensifying public scrutiny over the safety of the company’s cargo fleet.
The accident happened when a cargo Boeing 767-300 veered off runway 30 at landing, crashed into a van carrying airline cleaning workers and another vehicle, and caught fire. The five deceased, all Cuban nationals, were traveling in the van.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) retrieved the aircraft's black boxes. Preliminary data suggests excessive speed during landing and failure to deploy speed brakes and thrust reversers.
Bezos has a significant personal connection to Miami. Originally from South Florida, he graduated as valedictorian from Miami Palmetto Senior High School in 1982. His adoptive father, Miguel "Mike" Bezos, was born in Santiago de Cuba and arrived in the United States in 1962, at age 16, as part of Operation Peter Pan.
At the America Business Forum held in Miami in November 2025, Bezos expressed his deep ties to the city, saying, "My dad is Cuban. He's here in Miami. This city has such a good energy that you can feel it. As soon as I land, I feel that energy. As soon as the plane touches down, I feel it."
Since 2023, the billionaire has been residing on Indian Creek Island—dubbed the "Billionaire Bunker"—where he has purchased three properties totaling approximately $237 million. Among his neighbors on this exclusive island are Julio Iglesias, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Mark Zuckerberg.
Jeff Bezos and Miami: Key Insights
Why was Jeff Bezos in Miami-Dade recently?
Jeff Bezos was in Miami-Dade to fulfill his jury duty obligation at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building.
What is Jeff Bezos' connection to Miami?
Jeff Bezos has a personal connection to Miami, having graduated as valedictorian from Miami Palmetto Senior High School. His adoptive father is Cuban and arrived in the United States through Operation Peter Pan.
What happened in the Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport?
The Amazon cargo plane crash involved a Boeing 767-300 that veered off the runway, collided with a van, and resulted in a fire. Five Cuban nationals in the van lost their lives.