She became a mother at just 17, stood beside her son as he built one of the world’s most powerful companies, and poured her heart into helping others — now, Jeff Bezos is mourning the loss of the woman he calls the foundation of his life.

 

Amazon Billionaire Jeff Bezos' Mother Dies at 78—2 Years After He Moved to Florida To Be Closer to Her | Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®

 

Jacklyn “Jackie” Bezos, the devoted mother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and a woman described by those who knew her as endlessly compassionate, has died at the age of 78.

Surrounded by her family in her final moments, Jackie passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025, after a long battle with Lewy body dementia — a degenerative brain disorder that affects memory, movement, and behavior.

Jeff Bezos, 61, announced her passing in a deeply personal tribute shared on social media, writing that she had fought the disease with strength and grace since her diagnosis in 2020.

“She passed away today, surrounded by so many of us who loved her — her kids, grandkids, and my dad,” Bezos wrote. “I know she felt our love in those final moments. We were all so lucky to be in her life.

I hold her safe in my heart forever.” His words painted a portrait not only of a mother, but of a life filled with love, resilience, and an ever-expanding circle of people who felt like family because of her presence.

 

Jeff Bezos posts heartfelt tribute to mom Jackie Bezos who's died at 78

 

Born Jacklyn Gise in 1947, Jackie’s adulthood began much earlier than most. At just 17, she gave birth to Jeff in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a choice that came with challenges but also defined the rest of her life.

“Her adulthood started a little bit early when she became my mom at the tender age of 17,” Bezos reflected.

“That couldn’t have been easy, but she made it all work. 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.”

Her marriage to Cuban immigrant Miguel “Mike” Bezos, who adopted Jeff when he was a young boy, became a cornerstone of the Bezos family’s story.

Together, Jackie and Mike raised Jeff, Christina, and Mark in a household where curiosity, discipline, and empathy were equally valued.

Jackie’s children remember her as both fiercely protective and endlessly encouraging — a woman who, as the Bezos Family Foundation described,

“made countless trips to Radio Shack for Jeff, spent numerous hours supervising cheerleading practices with Christina, and hauled drums in the back of the family station wagon for Mark.”

 

Amazon Billionaire Jeff Bezos' Mother Dies at 78—2 Years After He Moved to Florida To Be Closer to Her | Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®

 

Outside of her role as a mother, Jackie made a lasting mark as co-founder of the Bezos Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization she launched with her children to support education and leadership programs.

The foundation has funded initiatives around the world, from early childhood development projects to the Bezos Scholars Program, which brings exceptional students and educators together to address global challenges.

Yet, despite her influence in philanthropic circles, she remained humble and focused on people over prestige.

“Jackie created a space where everyone felt safe, heard, and cared for,” the foundation said in their statement. “Whether offering a plate of food, a bit of advice, or simply a listening ear, she had a remarkable way of making people feel like family.”

Her passing drew heartfelt tributes from those closest to her, including Lauren Sánchez Bezos, Jeff’s wife, who commented, “We will miss her SO much. Love you ❤️💔,” and later reposted a tribute from the Bezos Scholars on her Instagram Story.

The foundation’s own words captured Jackie’s essence: “To the countless people she touched throughout a remarkable life, Jacklyn Gise Bezos was a fierce advocate and supporter, filled with heart for others, and never accepting the status quo.”

 

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Lewy body dementia, the disease that ultimately claimed Jackie’s life, is the second most common form of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s.

It is characterized by abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain, which disrupt normal functioning. The condition can cause unpredictable changes in attention, hallucinations, muscle stiffness, and sleep disturbances.

Since her diagnosis five years ago, Jackie faced the illness privately, continuing to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchild whenever possible.

In her lifetime, Jackie’s reach extended far beyond her immediate family. Friends recall her love for gathering people around the dinner table, where conversations could flow from personal anecdotes to big ideas about the future.

At public events — whether standing beside Jeff at Amazon celebrations or attending award ceremonies with Mike — she radiated warmth.

Even in the midst of the global attention surrounding her son’s success, Jackie seemed more concerned about asking others about their lives than talking about her own.

 

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Jackie is survived by her husband Mike Bezos, her three children — Jeff, Christina, and Mark — along with 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, her family has requested that people honor her memory either by donating to a nonprofit organization meaningful to them or by performing a simple act of kindness.

Jeff’s tribute, which concluded with a reflection on the expanding circle of people his mother embraced, may have summed up her legacy best: “For the rest of her life, that list of people to love never stopped growing. She always gave so much more than she ever asked for.”

It is a sentiment that resonates with those who crossed paths with Jackie — whether they knew her as a mother, a mentor, a philanthropist, or simply as a friend.

Her death marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in the Bezos family’s story, one that began in humble circumstances and grew into a legacy of giving and connection.

Yet, as her family and friends have made clear, the lessons she taught and the love she gave will continue to echo far beyond her lifetime.

And for Jeff Bezos, whose career and life have been shaped in no small part by her unwavering support, her influence will remain a guiding force — a reminder that the most powerful successes begin with the people who believe in you from the very start.