Jeff Bezos mourns death of mom Jackie at 78 after dementia battle: 'I hold her safe in my heart forever'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jeff Bezos revealed that his mother, Jackie Bezos, has died at 78 after a courageous five-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

The Amazon founder, 61, confirmed the heartbreaking news through an Instagram post on Thursday, August 14. The loss comes just a month after Jeff's lavish wedding to Lauren Sanchez, which took place on June 27, 2025.

News of Jackie’s death has been met with an outpouring of love and support from celebrities and close friends, including her daughter-in-law, Lauren Sanchez, who commented on Jeff’s announcement post, writing: “We will miss her SO much. Love you ❤️💔.”

Jeff Bezos honors his mother in a heartfelt post

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos honored the life of his mother, Jackie Bezos, who was born in 1946 and died in 2025. Reflecting on her early start to motherhood, he wrote on Instagram, “Her adulthood started a little bit early when she became my mom at the tender age of 17.”

He continued, “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.”

Bezos went on to share, “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 then spoke about her final moments, “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."

He concluded the post with a touching farewell, writing, “Jacklyn Gise Bezos, December 29, 1946 – August 14, 2025, I love you, mom.”

The Bezos Family Foundation, co-founded by Jackie and Jeff Bezos, also announced her death in an official statement.

The Foundation reflected on Jackie’s final years as “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.”

Celebrities share condolences for Jeff Bezos and his late mother

Following Jeff Bezos’s heartfelt tribute to his mother, Jackie Bezos, several celebrities expressed their support and sympathy in the comments on Instagram.

Model Miranda Kerr wrote, “Thinking of you and your family,” while actor Antonio Banderas shared, Mi más sentido pésame. Mucha fuerza en estos duros momentos,” which translates to “my deepest sympathy to you. Much strength in these tough times.”

'Basic Instinct' actress Sharon Stone also commented, sharing her grief: “My sincere condolences. I just lost my mom too.” Supermodel Naomi Campbell offered her support, writing, “My sincere condolences to you, your family & loved ones.”

NFL legend Jerry Rice simply said, “Sorry for your loss, Jeff.” Artist Vik Muniz recalled a meaningful connection, commenting, “She was really cool. I worked with her with Students Rebuild right after the tsunami in Japan. It was a wonderful experience.”

Who was Jackie Bezos?

Jackie Bezos was born in Washington, DC, to Lawrence Preston Gise and Mattie Gise. Her journey was marked by strength and determination from an early age. While still in high school, she became a young single mother, balancing night classes with the responsibilities of raising her son, Jeff.

In 1968, she married Miguel (Mike) Bezos, and together they built a life grounded in love, perseverance, and purpose, sharing nearly six decades of marriage.

Jackie is remembered not only for her philanthropic legacy but also for playing a pivotal role in Amazon’s origin story.

In 1995, she and Mike invested $245,000 in Jeff’s fledgling online bookstore, a bold move that would help lay the foundation for what would become a global e-commerce empire.

Within just four years, Jeff’s net worth soared to $9 billion, and a 2018 report estimated that Jackie and Mike’s stake in Amazon was worth around $30 billion, marking a staggering return of 12 million percent on their initial investment. During this time, Jeff Bezos rose to become the richest man in the world and transformed the way the world shops.

Beyond the business world, Jackie leaves behind a profound legacy of service, education, and philanthropy. In 2000, she co-founded the Bezos Family Foundation alongside her husband and their children, with a mission to promote education and lifelong learning.

Under her guidance, the foundation launched initiatives like Vroom, which supports early brain development by equipping parents and caregivers with science-based tools, and the Bezos Scholars Program.

Jackie was also a passionate advocate for medical research and healthcare initiatives. In 2020, she was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a progressive neurological disorder, which she bravely battled in her final years. She leaves behind a loving family that includes eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.