Jacklyn “Jackie” Gise Bezos, the beloved mother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and matriarch of the Bezos family, has passed away at the age of 78. Surrounded by her husband, children, and grandchildren, Jackie took her final breath at her Miami home after a long and courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a condition she had been fighting since 2020.
A mother’s journey: Strength in the face of challenges
Jackie’s story of resilience began early. At just 17, she became a mother, welcoming Jeff Bezos in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1964. Despite her young age and the struggles of single parenthood after her first marriage ended, Jackie worked tirelessly to provide for her son.
In 1968, she married Miguel “Mike” Bezos, a Cuban immigrant who adopted Jeff and became his father in every sense. Together, Jackie and Mike raised Jeff, along with their younger children, Christina and Mark. Their family bond was one of warmth, love, and relentless support-a foundation that shaped Jeff Bezos into one of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs.
Jeff Bezos’s heartfelt tribute to his mother
Jeff Bezos, who recently lost his position as the world’s second-richest person, shared a moving message on social media honoring his late mother.
He wrote, “Her adulthood started a little bit early when she became my mom at 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 added, “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.”
Understanding Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)
Jackie’s passing shines a light on Lewy Body Dementia, a disease that remains less well-known than Alzheimer’s despite being the second most common progressive dementia.
The condition is caused by abnormal protein clumps called alpha-synuclein, or “Lewy bodies,” which disrupt communication between brain cells. Over time, these deposits damage memory, reasoning, and motor control.
Common symptoms of LBD include:
Memory and cognitive decline – similar to Alzheimer’s, but often fluctuating.
Hallucinations – vivid, sometimes frightening visions.
Parkinson’s-like movement issues – tremors, stiffness, and balance problems.
REM sleep disorder – acting out dreams physically or vocally.
Alertness changes – sudden swings from sharpness to confusion within hours.
Doctors estimate that 1.4 million Americans live with LBD, with similar prevalence in Canada and the UK. The disease most often appears in people in their 70s or 80s and affects both men and women.
Currently, there is no cure. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms through medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments, but even here, care must be tailored-since certain Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s drugs can worsen LBD symptoms.
