Jacklyn “Jackie” Gise Bezos, the mother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, died on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the age of 78 at her home in Miami after a prolonged battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
The Bezos Family Foundation, which she co-founded with her husband Miguel (“Mike”) Bezos in 2000, confirmed her passing.
The foundation described her as a woman whose life embodied perseverance, compassion, and dedication to helping others.
Jeff Bezos shared a tribute on Instagram, recalling how his mother became a parent at 17 while still in high school, raising him with resilience and love.
He spoke of her ability to adapt, her generosity, and her central role in shaping his life. Jackie later married Mike Bezos, and together they raised Jeff, Christina, and Mark in a home focused on learning and service.
Jackie pursued higher education in her forties, earning a psychology degree and dedicating herself to philanthropic work.
Through the Bezos Family Foundation, she championed projects such as Vroom and the Bezos Scholars Program, aimed at advancing early childhood education and leadership opportunities for students.
In 1995, Jackie and Mike provided early backing to Amazon with an investment of about $245,000, a decision that became pivotal in the company’s early growth.
She is remembered not only as the mother of one of the world’s most prominent entrepreneurs but also as a committed advocate for education and community causes. Jackie is survived by her husband, three children, eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
The family has asked that, instead of flowers, people honor her legacy through charitable acts or by supporting causes that were important to her. Her passing marks the end of a life that combined personal devotion with a lasting impact on educati
on and philanthropy.