Nuked 
Hey followers! Today, we’re diving into a fascinating story about Rivian’s CEO, RJ Scaringe, and some major changes in his company’s ownership structure after his divorce. Let’s unpack it all with a little fun!
RJ Scaringe, the brain behind Rivian, transferred a chunk of his shares and options to his ex-wife, Meagan, on July 9 during their divorce settlement. This move, documented in a regulatory filing, involved about 4 million shares and 6 million options, roughly valued at $130 million based on Rivian’s current stock price. However, the actual value could vary depending on strike prices.
This ownership tweak follows a lengthy two-year divorce process. Before, RJ owned over 15 million Class A shares and nearly 8 million Class B shares, which gave him significant voting power—up to 7.6%. Now, thanks to the settlement, his voting influence has dropped to approximately 4%, the least since Rivian’s IPO in 2021.
Interestingly, this change doesn’t impact Rivian’s daily operations or business strategies. A company spokesperson clarified that RJ and his ex-wife will focus on co-parenting their children, showing that personal matters stay just that—in the personal realm.
Amidst this personal saga, Rivian is busy with new vehicle launches and cost-cutting measures. The redesigned R1S SUV and R1T truck aim to boost performance and efficiency, while the eagerly anticipated R2 SUV, priced at $45,000, is set to arrive in the first half of 2026. The company, which went public in 2021, has seen shifts in its ownership landscape. Ford, once a major stakeholder, has sold its stake, while Volkswagen and Amazon now hold significant shares—Volkswagen with around 12.3% and Amazon at 14.2%, giving Amazon the highest voting power at 13.3%.
RJ’s ownership stake was 2% before the divorce, but his voting power was higher due to Class B stock, which has more votes per share. Post-settlement, his voting power decreased from 7.6% to about 4%. The shares transferred to his ex-wife, including Class B stock, converted into Class A, meaning she likely won’t have much voting influence.
Despite the personal upheaval, RJ still maintains control of a sizable cache of shares, options, and RSUs. As these vest over time, his ownership and voting power might grow again. Since founding Rivian in 2009 and taking it public in 2021, RJ has always held a significant but not dominant voting stake—peaking around 9.2% in 2022.
Many fans and investors watch closely as the company moves forward with new models and strategic partnerships. Though the personal twist might seem dramatic, Rivian’s focus remains on developing innovative electric vehicles and expanding its market presence.
