Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced the death of his mother, Jacklyn Gise Bezos, in an emotional Instagram post on Thursday morning. She passed away on August 14, 2025, at the age of 78, following a long battle 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,” Bezos wrote. His wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, commented, “We will miss her SO much. Love you,” with a heart and heartbreak emoji.

Born on December 29, 1946, Jacklyn became a mother at just 17 while still in high school. Her first marriage to Ted Jorgensen ended when their son Jeff was just 17 months old. She later married Miguel “Mike” Bezos, who adopted Jeff and gave him his surname.

“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, recalling how she was “relentless” as a young single mom, taking night school classes and working at a bank by day.

Known affectionately as Jackie, she was described as a loving, welcoming figure who helped establish the Bezos Family Foundation. In 2020, she was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a progressive neurological disorder.

“Mike, her husband and partner for more than half a century, remained by her side at every step of this journey,” Bezos wrote, honoring her courage, dignity, and lifelong devotion to family.