Jeff Bezos’ mother, Jacklyn “Jackie” Gise Bezos, has died at 78 after a long battle with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder that impacts memory, movement, and mood.
The billionaire founder of Amazon shared the news with the world in an emotional tribute, writing that he and his family “were all so lucky to be in her life.”
A Teenage Mother Who “Made It All Work”
In his Instagram post, Bezos reflected on the sacrifices his mother made after giving birth at just 17.
“Her adulthood started a little bit early when she became my mom at the tender age of 17,” Bezos wrote. “That couldn’t have been easy, but she made it all work.”
The tech mogul went on to describe her fierce dedication as a mother.
“She pounced on the job of loving me with ferocity, brought my amazing dad onto the team a few years later, and then added my sister and brother to her list of people to love, guard, and nourish,” he said. “For the rest of her life, that list of people to love never stopped growing.”
Surrounded by Love in Her Final Moments
Jacklyn Bezos died in her Miami home, surrounded by family. She is survived by her husband Mike, her three children, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
“I know she felt our love in those final moments,” Bezos wrote.
“We were all so lucky to be in her life. I hold her safe in my heart forever.”
His message closed with a simple declaration: “I love you, mom.”
A Legacy of Giving Back
Beyond her role as a mother and grandmother, Jacklyn devoted much of her life to education and philanthropy.
An obituary posted by the Bezos Scholars Program described her as a once single mother passionate about inspiring young minds. The foundation supports students in the United States and Africa.
“Together, we can change the trajectory of an entire generation,” she once said. “We are not just building brains—we are building the future. Each of us has a role to play, and it will take all of us to really make a difference.”
In 2000, she helped establish the Bezos Family Foundation with her husband, children, and their families. The organization has funded global education initiatives for decades.
“Although Jackie may be gone from our sight, her love remains with us always—a bright shining light that will never fade. She will be missed beyond words,” the obituary read.
