Jeff Bezos posts tribute to late mother: ‘I hold her safe in my heart forever’
Jeff Bezos’ mother Jackie “died peacefully” on Thursday in her Miami-area home at the age of 78, her Bezos Scholars Program foundation announced on its website.
“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 organization wrote.
The mother of three reportedly had been battling Lewy body dementia since 2020.
The obituary went on to say that Jackie (née Gise) was born in Washington, D.C., then moved with her family to Albuquerque, New Mexico. In high school, she became pregnant with Jeff. Not mentioned is the biological father, Ted Jorgensen, who went on to become a unicyclist with the circus.
Gise raised Jeff as a single mom, meeting Cuban immigrant Miguel Bezos, now 79, while she was going to night school and working during the day at a bank, said the tribute. They were married in 1968, with Bezos adopting her young son. They went on to have two more children, Christina and Mark.
The Amazon founder posted his own tribute to his mom hours later.
“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,” wrote the billionaire, 61. “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.”
The Bezoses were instrumental in helping to launch his e-empire. In 1995, they gave the Internet pioneer $245,573 to get Amazon off the ground, eventually amassing great wealth themselves.
In the summer of 2022, the couple snapped up a 12,829-square-foot, six-bedroom, seven bath home in Coral Gables for a approximately $34 million.
Soon afterward, Jeff announced he was relocating from Seattle back home to Miami, where he was partially raised, attending Palmetto Senior High School. He and his now wife Lauren Sanchez began buying property in Indian Creek Village, aka Billionaire Bunker.
They remained close geographically and otherwise. Miguel and Jeff even were seen partying together in April at the Global Champions Arabians Tour fancy horse event in Miami Beach.
“We were all so lucky to be in her life,” Jeff’s post concluded. “I hold her safe in my heart forever.”
Jackie is also survived by 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild; funeral services are unclear.
This story was originally published August 15, 2025 at 4:13 PM.
