Jeff Bezos' mother Jacklyn Gise Bezos dies at 78 after battling Lewy Body Dementia: Here's what it is

Jacklyn “Jackie” Gise Bezos, matriarch of the Bezos family and Jeff Bezos's loving mum, passed away on August 14, 2025, at the age of 78. She died peacefully at her home in Miami, surrounded by family, after a long, courageous fight with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) that she’d been battling since 2020.Jackie’s journey into motherhood began early—she became a mum at just 17, giving birth to Jeff in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Despite all odds, she raised him on her own after her first marriage ended, and later married Miguel “Mike” Bezos in 1968, who became not just her partner but also Jeff’s adoptive dad. Together they built a close-knit family that included Jeff’s siblings Christina and Mark.Heartfelt tributeJeff has posted a heartfelt tribute on social media for his mother.

"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. 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," he writes.

"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 adds.

Lewy Body Dementia: What Is It?

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is a tough, progressive brain disease that’s actually the second most common dementia after Alzheimer’s.Here’s what makes it so tricky:It can affect memory, movement, alertness, and behaviourPeople may experience visual hallucinations, parkinsonism symptoms (like slow movement or stiff muscles), and even changes in sleep patterns (like acting out dreams)There’s no cure as of now—treatment focuses on managing symptoms and helping patients stay as comfortable as possible.Jackie was diagnosed in 2020 and faced the disease head-on with dignity and courage—having her devoted husband Mike by her side at every step.She was a real-life superstar—raising kids, going back to school in her mid-40s to earn a psychology degree, all while working and juggling life’s curveballs. Her fierce spirit didn’t stop there—Jackie helped launch Amazon in 1995 with a game-changing early investment (around $245–250 k), a move that would go on to shape history.On top of that, her heart for others ran deep. In 2000, she co-founded the Bezos Family Foundation, championing initiatives like Vroom (brain-science-based parenting tools) and the Bezos Scholars Program (supporting youth both in North America and Africa). Her dedication to education, empathy, and community was palpable every step of the way.Her philanthropic impact reached even further—Jackie and Mike backed groundbreaking immunotherapy cancer research through partnerships with Seattle’s Fred Hutch Cancer Center, including a massive $710 million gift in 2022 that was one of the largest donations the center had ever seen.Jacklyn “Jackie” Gise Bezos lived a life that was nothing short of extraordinary. She was a trailblazer, a nurturer, a lifelong learner, and a visionary who invested not just in her son’s dreams but also in the futures of countless others. Her fierce love for family, coupled with her tireless work in education and healthcare, leaves an imprint that will last for generations.