MacKenzie Scott donates record $275m to Planned Parenthood

Donation part of billionaire's pledge to give away majority of her wealth

MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is the world's 19th richest person. AFP

Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $275 million to US women's healthcare provider Planned Parenthood, the largest gift from a single donor in the organisation's more than 100-year history, Planned Parenthood said on Wednesday.

The donation, which is part of Ms Scott's pledge to give away the majority of her wealth, was made to Planned Parenthood's national office and 21 regional affiliates.

Ms Scott, who is now married to Dan Jewett, a science teacher living in Seattle, Washington, received a 4 per cent stake in Amazon as part of her divorce from founder Jeff Bezos.

Planned Parenthood, which provides women's healthcare services at its clinics across the country, is at the forefront of the political battle over abortion rights playing out in US state legislatures and courts.

Abortion access in the US is on the decline as Republican-led states pass ever tighter restrictions on the procedure, including a near-total ban in Texas that has withstood legal challenges.

The conservative-leaning US Supreme Court seems likely to overhaul constitutional protections for abortion this spring.

The court has signalled its willingness to reinstate a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy in Mississippi. That would contradict the 1973 Roe v Wade case that established the right to an abortion before around 24 weeks.

“We are incredibly grateful for Ms Scott’s extraordinary philanthropic investment in Planned Parenthood, as a critical part of the public health infrastructure,” Planned Parenthood Chief Executive Alexis MacGill Johnson said in a statement.

MacKenzie Scott donated $436 million to Habitat for Humanity International and 84 of its US affiliates – the largest publicly disclosed donation from the billionaire philanthropist since pledging to give away the majority of her wealth. Habitat for Humanity / AP

“This funding will support our efforts to advance health equity by eliminating racial and structural barriers for our patients in the communities where Planned Parenthood works.”

In a Medium post on Wednesday, Ms Scott said she had donated more than $3.8 billion to 465 non-profit organisations, including Planned Parenthood, since last June.

“Our team’s focus over these last nine months has included some new areas, but as always our aim has been to support the needs of underrepresented people from groups of all kinds. The cause of equity has no sides,” she wrote.

On Tuesday, Habitat for Humanity announced that Ms Scott had donated $436m, which will go towards the organisation's efforts to boost cheaper housing and black home ownership.

Ms Scott was worth about $49bn as of Wednesday, Forbes reported.

El Capitan is the southernmost point of the Guadalupe Mountains. At 2,464 metres above sea level, El Capitan is the eighth-highest peak in Texas and about an hour north from Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Laurence Parent

Located at the crossroads of the Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe and Big Bend National Parks, Hotel El Capitan was built in 1930. Holly Aguirre / The National

The Hotel El Capitan is a historic hotel located in the Van Horn city centre and the jewel of the small town. Photo: Texas Historical Commission

The entrance to the historic Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National

Architect Henry Charles Trost designed buildings all across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. This is the Hotel El Capitan interior garden. Holly Aguirre / The National

Hotel El Capitan lobby. Holly Aguirre / The National

Your four-legged friends are welcome at the Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National

Hotel El Capitan hallway. Holly Aguirre / The National

Hotel El Capitan is one of the most popular places to stay in west Texas. Photo: Thomas Millard

Van Horn, Texas, is the last stop before the turnoff to Marfa, a tiny artist town put on the map after James Dean starred in 'Giant', which was filmed there in 1956. Holly Aguirre / The National

Located in Van Horn, Texas, Chuy’s boasts an illustrious list of celebrity diners including Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, the man in black Johnny Cash, singer Selena, country legend Conway Twitty and John Madden. Photo: Thomas Hawk

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Vintage sign lovers are sure to enjoy Van Horn, Texas, for its Instragramable moments. Photo: Thomas Hawk

Many of Van Horn's closed-up shops and businesses give it a ghost town feel. Holly Aguirre / The National

Since Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin came to Van Horn, Texas, there are few single-family homes for sale. Many businesses, however, remain shuttered. Holly Aguirre / The National

Van Horn, Texas, was on the radars of hikers and hipsters alike well before Jeff Bezos came to town. Holly Aguirre / The National

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Another view of the Van Horn city centre. Photo: Thomas Hawk

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Hikers visiting Guadalupe Mountains National Park often take a rest in the shady Grotto, which provides a picturesque setting for a picnic and a rest while hiking in McKittrick Canyon. Photo: National Parks Service

Travellers visiting Guadalupe Mountain National Park often stop in Van Horn for a respite at the historic El Capitan Hotel. Holly Aguirre / The National

Vintage neon sign lovers will appreciate the old signage throughout the tiny town of Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National

Lindsey's Cafe dishes out tasty Mexican food in central Van Horn, Texas. Facebook

A full moon rises over the Guadalupe Mountains as seen from downtown Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Steve Lange

Brewer's blackbirds are protected in the US under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. These birds were found alighting in Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Silvi