Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jacklyn Gise Bezos (also known as Jackie Bezos) |
| Birth | December 29, 1946 — Washington, D.C.; raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Death | August 14, 2025 — age 78 |
| Parents | Lawrence Preston Gise; Mattie Louise Strait |
| Spouses | Ted Jorgensen (m. 1963; div. 1965); Miguel “Mike” Bezos (m. 1968–2025) |
| Children | Jeff Bezos (b. 1964), Christina Bezos (b. 1969), Mark Bezos (b. 1970) |
| Education | B.A., Psychology (High Honors), Saint Elizabeth University, 1991 |
| Early Work | Secretary; bank employee; night-school student |
| Philanthropy | Co-founder and longtime president, Bezos Family Foundation (2000–2023) |
| Signature Initiatives | Vroom; Bezos Scholars Program |
| Known For | Resilient teenage mother; early Amazon investor; education-focused philanthropy |
| Cause of Death | Lewy body dementia |
| Notable Residences | New Mexico; Texas (Houston); Florida (Miami) |
Early Life and Teenage Motherhood
Jacklyn Gise grew up in New Mexico, a high-desert childhood that taught resourcefulness long before life demanded it. At 16, she learned she was pregnant. In 1963 she married her high school sweetheart, and on January 12, 1964, gave birth to Jeffrey—later Jeff Bezos. The era was unforgiving to pregnant teens. She finished high school under restrictive rules that kept her apart from classmates, then went straight to work. Daylight meant secretarial and banking jobs; nightfall meant college coursework, a diaper bag on one shoulder and textbooks on the other. By mid-1965 she divorced, chose stability for her son, and kept going.
Rebuilding and a Lifelong Partnership
In 1968, Jacklyn married Miguel “Mike” Bezos, a young Cuban immigrant who had come to the United States as a teenager. Their partnership, steady as bedrock, shaped the family’s trajectory. Mike adopted Jeff; Christina (1969) and Mark (1970) soon followed. The family moved for opportunity—Houston, then Miami—while Jacklyn created a home where curiosity and grit were everyday habits. She drove to Radio Shack for parts to feed Jeff’s early tinkering, cheered Christina’s pursuits, and tolerated Mark’s loud drums. The house was a laboratory of learning and love.
Education and Work, Stitched Into Daily Life
Jacklyn’s education unfolded over decades, a testament to endurance over speed. She finally earned her B.A. in Psychology in 1991 with High Honors, a milestone reached at 45. The years in clerical and banking roles gave her a front-row view of how families manage money, time, and stress—experience that later informed her philanthropic focus on early brain development and opportunities for young people.
The Amazon Bet and a Family’s Financial Footing
In 1995, she and Mike backed Jeff’s risky online bookstore idea with about $245,000—a family loan that came with a candid warning: the odds of failure were high. They accepted the risk. That seed would grow beyond any realistic projection. Estimates suggest that by 2018, the parents’ early stake in Amazon could have been worth tens of billions of dollars, though precise figures remain private. What’s clear is that this early vote of confidence became a financial flywheel powering the family’s philanthropy.
Building the Bezos Family Foundation
In 2000, Jacklyn and Mike co-founded the Bezos Family Foundation to turn a family ethos into structured impact. Jacklyn served as president for more than two decades, championing initiatives that translate brain science into everyday parenting (Vroom) and empower high school scholars in the U.S. and Africa with leadership training (Bezos Scholars Program). The foundation emphasized practical tools, youthful leadership, and measurable outcomes—help, not hype.
Notable philanthropic highlights associated with the family include:
- Donations of large blocks of Amazon shares to fund education efforts over the 2000s and 2010s.
- Major gifts to medical research and healthcare access, including more than $700 million in support of cancer research, and significant support to academic medical centers.
- Eight- and nine-figure commitments to youth development organizations and civic institutions in the mid-2020s.
The throughline was consistent: create scaffolding around children and families so potential could take root.
Later Years and Passing
In 2020, Jacklyn received a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. She remained active in foundation work as long as she could, stepping down from the presidency in 2023. On August 14, 2025, she died at age 78. Family tributes described her as a fierce, practical optimist—a mother who “pounced on the job” and never let go of the rope.
Family Members at a Glance
| Relation | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | Miguel “Mike” Bezos | Married 1968; adopted Jeff; longtime partner in philanthropy |
| Son | Jeff Bezos (b. 1964) | Entrepreneur; founder of Amazon and Blue Origin |
| Daughter | Christina Bezos (b. 1969) | Married to Steve Poore |
| Son | Mark Bezos (b. 1970) | Married to Lisa; nonprofit and business leadership roles |
| Parents | Lawrence Preston Gise; Mattie Louise Strait | Father worked in technical fields; mother a steady family anchor |
| Grandchildren | 11 | Annual “Camp Marmie” gatherings reflected Jacklyn’s playful, hands-on approach |
| Great-Grandchildren | 1 | Growing extended family remained close-knit |
Timeline of Key Milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1946 | Born December 29 in Washington, D.C.; raised in New Mexico |
| 1963 | Married Ted Jorgensen |
| 1964 | Son Jeff born (January 12) |
| 1965 | Divorced; continued work and night school |
| 1968 | Married Miguel “Mike” Bezos; he later adopted Jeff |
| 1969–1970 | Children Christina and Mark born |
| 1991 | B.A. in Psychology (High Honors), Saint Elizabeth University |
| 1995 | Early investment in Amazon |
| 2000 | Co-founded Bezos Family Foundation |
| 2020 | Diagnosed with Lewy body dementia |
| 2023 | Stepped down as foundation president |
| 2025 | Died August 14 at age 78 |
Character and Legacy
Jacklyn Bezos lived the paradox of quiet influence: a life largely out of the spotlight that nonetheless shaped a global story. She threaded needle after needle—young motherhood, work, study, remarriage, and a long arc of giving—into a strong fabric that covered not just her family but communities well beyond. Her legacy is measured in leaders trained, parents supported, and a culture of curiosity passed from kitchen tables to classrooms. The wealth that grew from one audacious bet became, in her hands, a river redirected toward opportunity.
FAQ
Who was Jacklyn Bezos?
She was an American philanthropist, mother of Jeff Bezos, and co-founder of the Bezos Family Foundation.
When was she born and when did she die?
She was born on December 29, 1946, and died on August 14, 2025, at age 78.
How did she support Amazon in the early days?
In 1995, she and her husband invested roughly $245,000 in Jeff Bezos’s startup, accepting the significant risk of failure.
What is the Bezos Family Foundation?
It’s a family-led philanthropy founded in 2000 focused on early learning, youth leadership, and translating brain science into practical tools for families.
What are some signature programs she championed?
Vroom and the Bezos Scholars Program are two prominent initiatives associated with her leadership.
What was her educational background?
She earned a B.A. in Psychology with High Honors in 1991 after years of part-time study while working and raising children.
How many children did she have?
She had three children: Jeff, Christina, and Mark.
What was her cause of death?
She died after living with Lewy body dementia.
Was she a public figure?
She preferred a private life centered on family and philanthropy, appearing publicly mostly in connection with education initiatives.
How wealthy was she?
Her wealth is not publicly detailed; estimates tied to early Amazon investments suggest it reached into the billions, but exact figures remain private.
