Jeff Bezos’s Mother, Jacklyn Gise Bezos, Passes Away at 78; Amazon Founder Pays Heartfelt Tribute
Jacklyn Gise Bezos, the mother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, died at the age of 78 in her Miami home after a battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Jeff Bezos shared a moving tribute to his mother on social media.
Jacklyn passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 14, at her Miami residence. According to the Bezos Family Foundation, “Born December 29, 1946, Jackie lived a life that taught all of us—family and friends alike—the true meaning of determination, kindness, and service to others.”
The foundation noted that Jackie was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2020, a progressive neurological disease that she faced with “the same dignity and courage that defined her life.”
She is survived by her devoted husband, Mike, her children Jeff (Lauren), Christina (Steve), and Mark (Lisa), eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Jeff Bezos Pays Tribute
Jeff Bezos honored his mother on social media, saying she passed away “surrounded by so many of us who loved her.” He recounted her early adulthood: “Her adulthood started a little early when she became my mom at 17. That couldn’t have been easy, but she embraced it with fierce love, bringing my amazing dad onto the team a few years later, and then adding my sister and brother to the list of people to love, guard, and nourish. That list never stopped growing. She always gave more than she ever asked for.”
He continued, “After a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia, she left us today, surrounded by family—her kids, grandkids, and my dad. I know she felt our love in her final moments. We were all so lucky to have her in our lives. I will hold her safe in my heart forever.”
First Investor in Amazon
Bloomberg reported that Jacklyn and her husband Mike were among the first investors in Amazon back in 1995. They contributed two checks totaling $245,573 to support Jeff Bezos’s fledgling company, despite warnings it might fail. That investment, along with later purchases of Amazon shares, grew into an estimated $30 billion fortune by 2018.
Life and Legacy of Jacklyn Gise Bezos
Jacklyn was born in Washington, D.C., to Lawrence Preston Gise and Mattie Louise Strait Gise. Her family later moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she grew up. While still in high school, she had her first child, Jeffrey.
As a young single mother, Jackie worked tirelessly to build a better life. She attended night school while working days at a bank, where she met Miguel (Mike) Bezos, a Cuban immigrant working the night shift. The couple married on April 5, 1968, forming a lifelong partnership both in love and in life.
Jacklyn co-founded the Bezos Family Foundation in 2000 with her husband, children, and extended family. She focused on programs like Vroom, which translates early brain research into practical tips for parents and caregivers, and the Bezos Scholars Program, supporting students in the U.S. and Africa.
The foundation highlighted Jackie’s broader charitable work, including medical research and community healthcare initiatives. Her collaboration with Seattle’s Fred Hutch Cancer Center contributed to breakthroughs in immunotherapy treatments, helping the body’s immune system fight cancer. Her support continues to drive advancements in the field.
