Jacklyn “Jackie” Bezos, devoted mother of tech pioneer Jeff Bezos, dies at 78 after a dignified battle with Lewy body dementia

14 August 2025

Jeff Bezos poses with his parents Jackie and Mike at the Smithsonian Magazine's 2016 American Ingenuity Awards on December 8, 2016.MOLLY RILEY/AFP via Getty

Jackie Bezos, the steadfast and resilient mother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, passed away peacefully at her Miami home on August 14, 2025, surrounded by the love of her children, grandchildren, and husband, Mike Bezos, after a courageous five-year struggle with Lewy body dementia. The Bezos Family Foundation, which she co-founded with her husband and children in 2000, confirmed her death, as did Jeff in a deeply moving tribute on Instagram. In his tribute, Jeff reflected on how Jackie became a mother at just 17 and embraced the role with fierce love and unwavering dedication. “I know she felt our love in those final moments,” he wrote. “We were all so lucky to be in her life. I hold her safe in my heart forever.”

Jackie’s journey began in Washington, D.C., where she was born in 1946, and continued through Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a determined young woman, she navigated the challenges of teenage motherhood while attending school and working by day. She carried Jeff with her through night classes, often in a duffel bag tucked with textbooks and diapers until she ultimately earned her high school diploma. Later, she met and married Miguel “Mike” Bezos, who adopted Jeff, and together they raised two more children Christina and Mark.

Jackie’s tenacity and devotion extended beyond her family. In 1995, she and Mike made a pivotal investment of nearly $250,000 in Amazon Jeff’s fledgling startup a gesture that helped to launch what would become one of the world’s most influential companies. She later co-founded the Bezos Family Foundation, dedicating herself to causes such as early childhood development initiatives including Vroom and the Bezos Scholars Program in the U.S. and Africa, as well as supporting breakthrough cancer research through Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Her life was celebrated for its warmth, compassion, and generosity. The Bezos Family Foundation’s statement praised Jackie not just as a loving mother and grandmother but also as someone who made every person she encountered feel seen and cared for. Whether offering advice, a home-cooked meal, or simply an attentive ear, her generosity extended far beyond the walls of her family home. In keeping with her spirit, the family requested that instead of flowers, friends and admirers make donations to meaningful philanthropic causes or perform acts of kindness.

Diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2020, Jackie faced her illness with grace and courage, qualities acknowledged in both Jeff’s tribute and the Foundation’s message. She continued to be present and influential, even as her health declined, sustained by the love and care of her devoted husband, Mike, and the broader family.

Her passing came just weeks after Jeff’s wedding in Venice to Lauren Sánchez, adding an emotional layer to a chapter that blended joy and loss. Jeff’s social media post captured the complexity of this moment: a beloved mother laid to rest, a son balancing celebration with grief. In a final message of love, Lauren commented simply, “We will miss her SO much. Love you,” a note of shared sorrow and support.

In her life’s arc from single teenage mother to quiet philanthropist, from nurturing parent to cornerstone of a global foundation Jackie Bezos embodied love in action. Her legacy lives on in her family’s accomplishments, in the programs she championed, and in the countless lives she touched with compassion and care. The narrative of her life reminds us that true influence often begins at home and flourishes in service.