Core Viewpoint - Rivian Automotive's founder RJ Scaringe has transferred a significant portion of his ownership stake in the company to his ex-wife as part of a divorce settlement, impacting his voting power and ownership structure within the company [1][3][4]. Ownership Transfer - RJ Scaringe transferred approximately four million shares and six million options to his ex-wife, Meagan Scaringe, valued at around $130 million based on current stock prices [2][3]. - Following the transfer, Scaringe's ownership in Rivian has decreased to about 2%, with a voting power of around 4%, marking the lowest since the company's IPO in 2021 [3][5]. Shareholder Landscape - Volkswagen has become one of Rivian's largest shareholders, owning 12.3% of the company, while Amazon holds 14.2% and has the most significant voting power at 13.3% [4]. - Ford Motor Company has significantly reduced its stake in Rivian, indicating a shift in the shareholder landscape [4]. Historical Context - The decrease in Scaringe's ownership and voting power is consistent with trends observed in other high-profile divorces of company founders, such as Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, which also resulted in significant ownership transfers [6][7][8][9][10]. Market Performance - Rivian's stock is currently trading at $12.69, down 0.5% on the day, with a year-to-date decline of 4.2% [11].
Rivian CEO Joins Bezos & Gates Divorce Club—Voting Power Slashed Before R2 Debut