
Jacklyn Gise Bezos, Jeff Bezos’s mother, founder of Amazon, has died at the age of 78. The entrepreneur shared the news through his official Instagram account, detailing that her passing occurred on Thursday. What happened? Here’s everything you need to know.
How did Jeff Bezos’s mother die?
According to the entrepreneur, his mother Jacklyn Gise Bezos had been battling Lewy Body Dementia for a long time. She passed away at her home in Miami, surrounded by her entire family.
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“After a long fight with Lewy Body Dementia, she passed away today, surrounded by so many of us who loved her — her kids, grandkids, and my dad. 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,” the post reads.
What was Jacklyn Gise Bezos’s net worth?
Jacklyn Gise Bezos’s net worth is estimated at around $30 billion, mainly from her stake in Amazon. In 1995, Jackie Bezos and her husband Miguel “Mike” Bezos supported their son Jeff’s e-commerce venture with an investment of $245,573. In July of that year, Jackie purchased 847,716 shares. Thanks to Amazon’s extraordinary growth, this investment generated an enormous return, with an estimated increase of nearly 12,000,000 percent.
Who was Jacklyn Gise Bezos?
Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in New Mexico, Jacklyn Bezos became pregnant with Jeff at 16 while in high school. She married Ted Jorgensen in 1963, but the relationship was difficult due to Ted’s financial struggles and alcohol problems. After their divorce in 1965, Jacklyn lived alone, worked as a secretary, and attended night classes, often bringing Jeff with her, demonstrating determination and resilience.
Her life changed when she met Miguel “Mike” Bezos, a Cuban immigrant, with whom she built a strong family, moving to Houston and having Christina and Mark. Jacklyn balanced motherhood, work, and education, graduating at age 40. In 1995, she and Mike invested $245,573 in Amazon, generating historic returns. Later, she dedicated herself to philanthropy through the Bezos Family Foundation, supporting education and health, leaving a legacy of perseverance, generosity, and vision for her children and society.
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Jeff Bezos Biography
Jeff Bezos, born January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of the most influential entrepreneurs of the digital age. A visionary from an early age, he founded the Dream Institute, a center for creative thinking, while still in high school. He graduated summa cum laude in electrical engineering and computer science from Princeton University in 1986, and worked in various sectors before joining D.E. Shaw & Co., where he became the firm’s youngest-ever senior vice president.
Inspired by the rapid growth of the internet, Bezos left his job in 1994 and moved to Seattle with his then-wife MacKenzie Scott to launch Amazon. Starting as an online bookstore in his garage, Amazon quickly evolved into the world’s largest online retailer. In 2000, he founded Blue Origin, his aerospace company responsible for developing rockets like New Shepard and New Glenn. He also purchased The Washington Post in 2013 for $250 million.
In 2024, Bezos faced criticism for reportedly preventing The Post from endorsing a presidential candidate, a decision that led to the cancellation of about 200,000 subscriptions. His personal life has also drawn media attention—especially after his 2019 divorce, followed by a privacy scandal and blackmail allegations against The National Enquirer.
Jeff Bezos’s Net Worth
As of 2024, Jeff Bezos’s net worth was estimated at $204 billion, making him the fourth-richest person in the world.