Jacklyn Gise Bezos, the mother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, passed away on Thursday at the age of 78. She had been battling Lewy body dementia for a prolonged period. Her death occurred at her residence in Miami, surrounded by her loved ones, as shared by her son in a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
Jeff Bezos, the 61-year-old billionaire, reminisced about his mother’s early adulthood, which began when she became a mother at the tender age of 17. He expressed his admiration for her strength and resilience in his tribute, acknowledging the challenges she must have faced. He praised her for her fierce love and dedication to her family, which included bringing his father into their lives and nurturing his siblings.
Jacklyn Bezos was remembered as a lifelong educator and a single mother who was committed to fostering the growth of young minds. This was evident in her work with the Bezos Scholars Program, an initiative that operates in the U.S. and Africa. She believed in the power of education to change the trajectory of an entire generation and was dedicated to building a better future.
Her commitment to education and youth development was further demonstrated through her role as a founding member of the Bezos Family Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to help young individuals realize their full potential and make significant contributions to society.
Jacklyn Bezos is survived by her husband Mike, her children Jeff, Christina, and Mark, eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family has requested mourners to support a nonprofit organization of their choice or perform an act of kindness in memory of Jacklyn Bezos.