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KEY POINTS The billionaire executive announced the news Wednesday — three days before his 55th birthday — in a tweet signed by both of them. They have been married 25 years.

The couple last year launched a charitable fund together, dubbed the Day One Fund.

The statement Wednesday suggests they will continue to work together on that effort.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie, are divorcing. The billionaire executive and his wife of 25 years announced the news Wednesday — three days before his 55th birthday — in a tweet signed by both of them. They have four children. "We want to make people aware of a development in our lives. As our family and close friends know, after a long period of loving exploration and trial separation, we have decided to divorce and continue our shared lives as friends," the tweet says. "We feel incredibly lucky to have found each other and deeply grateful for every one of the years we have been married to each other," the tweet says. "If we had known we would separate after 25 years, we would do it all again. ... Though the labels might be different, we remain a family, and we remain cherished friends."

The couple last year launched a charitable fund together, dubbed the Day One Fund. The statement Wednesday suggests they will continue to work together on that effort. "We've had such a great life together as a married couple, and we also see wonderful futures ahead, as parents, friends, partners in ventures and projects, and as individuals pursuing ventures and adventures," the tweet says.

Head of Amazon Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie Bezos arrive for the Axel Springer award ceremony. Jorg Carstensen | picture alliance | Getty Images