Jeff Bezos is mourning the death of his mother, Jacklyn “Jackie” Bezos, who has passed away at the age of 78, just weeks after attending her son’s lavish multi-million-pound wedding in Venice.
The announcement was made by the Bezos Family Foundation, which revealed that Jackie died peacefully at her home in Miami on Thursday, 14 August, following a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Her passing marks a profound personal loss for one of the world’s richest men, coming so soon after what had been one of the most celebrated moments in his personal life — his marriage to Lauren Sanchez in a ceremony reportedly costing around £40 million and attended by some of the biggest names in entertainment, business, and politics.
In a moving tribute posted on Instagram, Bezos reflected on the extraordinary life and unwavering love of the woman who raised him. He shared that Jackie became a mother at just 17 years old, a responsibility she embraced with “ferocity” despite the challenges of her youth.
“Her adulthood started a little bit early when she became my mom at the tender age of 17. That couldn’t have been easy, but she made it all work,” Bezos wrote. “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.”
Bezos described his mother’s final moments, revealing that she was surrounded by family — her children, grandchildren, and husband — when she passed. “After a long fight with Lewy Body Dementia, she passed away today, surrounded by so many of us who loved her. 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 wrote.
The Bezos Family Foundation — which Jackie helped establish — praised her as “the true meaning of grit and determination, kindness and service to others,” qualities they said she instilled in her family and carried into her philanthropic work. “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,” their statement read.
Jackie was known for her deep involvement in charitable and educational causes. Through the Bezos Family Foundation, she supported projects aimed at improving education and creating opportunities for young people. Her work often focused on early childhood development, literacy, and leadership training — causes she believed could shape a better future.
She was also a strong presence in her son’s life even as he built Amazon into one of the world’s largest companies. Jackie and her husband, Mike Bezos, were frequent guests at public events with Jeff and were by his side during key milestones.
The timing of her passing has added an extra layer of poignancy for the Bezos family, coming so shortly after the wedding celebrations in Venice, where Jackie had been present to see her son and Lauren Sanchez exchange vows. The event, attended by celebrities, tech moguls, and dignitaries, had been seen as a moment of joy and unity for the family.
Lauren Sanchez also paid tribute to her late mother-in-law, commenting on Jeff’s post: “We will miss her SO much. Love you.”
Messages of condolence have poured in from friends, admirers, and members of the public, with many noting Jackie’s remarkable life story — from a teenage mother to a philanthropist whose influence reached far beyond her family. One commenter wrote: “She was so special and so loved. What a life legacy your family will carry on forever. Love you all.”
Jackie is survived by her husband Mike, her children Jeff, Christina, and Mark, their partners, eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Her death not only marks the loss of a mother and matriarch but also the passing of a woman whose values helped shape the life of one of the most influential figures in modern business. For Jeff Bezos, her lessons in determination, generosity, and service will remain a guiding force — a lasting legacy that will outlive even the vast fortune and achievements of her world-famous son.
