Jacklyn Gise Bezos Passes Away
Jacklyn Gise Bezos, the mother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has died at 78 at a home in Miami. Her family announced her passing on Thursday after a long Lewy body dementia fight. Jeff Bezos informed of the death on Instagram, revealing how she spent her last days and how much she had left for the world. He said, “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.”
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Lewy Body Dementia and Gise Bezos’ Fight
Mental decline occurs with Lewy body dementia, and the Mayo Clinic states it gets worse as time goes on. The nerve cells in the brain form protein bodies known as Lewy bodies which impair movement, memory and thinking. They may also observe things that do not exist since hallucinations are one of the popular visual effects of this condition. Cognitive changes, confusion, depression and memory loss are other symptoms. The statistics indicate that Lewy body dementia becomes the second most common after Alzheimer’s.
Difference between Alzheimer and Lewy Body Dementia [verywell]
Early Years and Family Life
Jacklyn Gise Bezos was born in Washington, D.C., before moving with her family to Albuquerque, New Mexico. She became a mother at 17, delivering Jeff Bezos while still in high school. The Bezos Scholars Program highlighted her resolve: “As a young, single mom, Jackie was relentless — taking night school classes following high school and working in a bank by day.” At the bank, she met a Cuban immigrant, Miguel (Mike) Bezos. They married on 5 April 1968, starting what the foundation described as a lifelong partnership. The couple had two more children, Christina and Mark.
The foundation stated, “She dedicated her life to her family and poured her heart into raising her children with compassion, patience, and wisdom.” Jeff Bezos 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.”
Jacklyn Gise Bezos gave birth to her son Jeff, while in High School
Commitment to Education and Personal Growth
Gise Bezos valued education throughout her life. At 45, in 1991, she earned a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Elizabeth University in New Jersey. The foundation remarked that her return to college was “just another example of Jackie’s determination and grace,” describing her commitment to personal growth as an inspiration and a message that it’s never too late to pursue dreams.
Philanthropic Ventures and Legacy
In 2000, Jacklyn Gise Bezos established the Bezos Family Foundation with her husband, children, and their families. Five years later, in 2005, they created the Bezos Scholars Program. These initiatives focused on leadership and education for students from the United States and Africa. Her obituary on the Scholars Program website recognised her efforts in nurturing children’s minds. She once said, “Together, we can change the trajectory of an entire generation. We are not just building brains, we are building the future. Each of us has a role to play, and it will take all of us to really make a difference.”
Jacklyn Gise Bezos established the Bezos Family Foundation with her husband
Recent Family Events and Reflections
Jacklyn Gise Bezos died less than two months after Jeff Bezos married Lauren Sánchez in Italy. Prominent figures, including Oprah Winfrey, Queen Rania of Jordan, and Ivanka Trump, attended the celebrations. It remains unknown whether she attended the events.
Jeff Bezos wrote in tribute, “We were all so lucky to be in her life. I hold her safe in my heart forever. I love you, mom.” The obituary read, “Although Jackie may be gone from our sight, her love remains with us always—a bright shining light that will never fade. She will be missed beyond words.”
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Continuing Impact
The Bezos Family Foundation and the Bezos Scholars Program continue to honour Jacklyn Gise Bezos’ legacy. These organisations sustain her passion for education, personal growth, and family legacy. Her dedication helped shape opportunities for students and will influence education networks for future generations.
