The soon-to-be-divorced wife of the Amazon founder is joining the Giving Pledge trend in philanthropy.

MacKenzie Bezos, whose upcoming divorce from Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos will see her collect a $37 billion payout, is to commit half of her wealth to philanthropy.

Bloomberg and other media have reported that Bezos is one of the latest of 19 individuals to sign the Giving Pledge - a commitment to contribute 50 per cent of their wealth to charity during their lifetime or in their wills.

Bezos’ marital split from the Big Tech tycoon has prompted commentary about the workings of the modern US divorce system.

The Giving Pledge has, according to its website, brought together 204 “pledgers”. It is the brainchild of Microsoft’s Bill Gates and investment tycoon Warren Buffett.

At a time of heightened concern over rising wealth inequality (at least according to some commentators and data), the organisation is an example of how philanthropy can foster change and blunt criticism of great wealth.