Washington, D.C.: As he prepares to blast off into a new career stage, Jeff Bezos leaves an enduring legacy after transforming Amazon from a modest online bookseller into one of the world's most powerful corporations.

Bezos, 57, was set to hand over the job of Amazon chief executive on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) to Andy Jassy and turn his attention to his private space exploration firm, philanthropy and other endeavors. He will retain a key role, however, as executive chairman at the technology and e-commerce colossus he founded 27 years ago.