Jackie Bezos, mother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has died at the age of 78 after a prolonged struggle with Lewy body dementia.
The Bezos Family Foundation confirmed her death on 14 August at her residence in Miami. Jeff Bezos paid tribute to his mother in an emotional message shared on Instagram, describing her as a source of unwavering love and strength throughout his life.
“Her adulthood started a little bit early when she became my mum at the tender age of 17,” he wrote. “That couldn’t have been easy, but she made it all work. She pounced on the job of loving me with ferocity, brought my amazing dad onto the team a few years later, and then added my sister and brother to her list of people to love, guard, and nourish. For the rest of her life, that list of people to love never stopped growing. She always gave so much more than she ever asked for.”
He continued: “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. I love you, mum.”
Lewy body dementia is a progressive brain disorder that affects cognitive function, movement, behaviour, and sleep. It is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.
According to the Foundation’s statement, the final years of Jackie’s life marked “a quiet final chapter to a life that taught all of us, friends and family alike, the true meaning of grit and determination, kindness, and service to others.”
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The news of her passing comes only weeks after Bezos’s wedding to Lauren Sánchez, marking a personal loss during what had otherwise been a celebratory period for the Amazon founder.
Jackie Bezos was known for her philanthropic work and her pivotal role in the establishment of the Bezos Family Foundation, which supports education and youth-focused initiatives.
Born in New Mexico, she had Jeff at the age of 17 with his biological father, Ted Jorgensen. She later married Miguel Bezos, who adopted Jeff and played a central role in his upbringing.
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994, originally as an online bookstore. The company has since expanded into a global e-commerce and technology giant, offering cloud computing, streaming services, and artificial intelligence products.
