Jeff Bezos' Mother, Jackie, Passes Away – Details

Less than two months after marrying the love of his life, the Amazon founder announced his mother's death and revealed the cause in an emotional tribute.

Jackie Bezos, the mother of Jeff Bezos, passed away on August 14, 2025, at her home in Miami, surrounded by close family. From raising her first child as a teenager to co-founding a major philanthropic foundation, she built a life marked by determination, generosity, and a deep commitment to others.

The Bezos Scholars Program remembered her as a compassionate force who challenged the status quo, championed others, and lived with heart and purpose.

Born Jacklyn Gise on December 29, 1946, in Washington, D.C., she spent much of her childhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after her family relocated there.

While a junior in high school in 1964, just two weeks after her 17th birthday, she gave birth to her first child, Jeff — a moment that would set the course for her life.

School administrators initially told Jackie that he would not be allowed to finish her education.

She refused to accept that decision and persuaded the school to let her return under strict conditions: arrive and leave within minutes of the bell, avoid speaking with other students, skip lunch in the cafeteria, and miss walking the stage at graduation. She accepted these rules and successfully graduated.

Determined to support her son, Jackie took a job at a bank during the day while attending night classes. There she met Miguel "Mike" Bezos, a Cuban immigrant working the night shift. The two married on April 5, 1968, beginning a nearly 60-year partnership grounded in mutual respect and shared joy.

Together, they raised their three children — Jeff, Christina, and Mark. Jackie approached motherhood with energy and dedication, from picking up electronics for Jeff's early projects to cheering Christina at practices and hauling Mark's drum kit to performances.

Her generosity extended far beyond her own family. Friends of her children often found a second home in the Bezos household, welcomed with food, conversation, and a listening ear.

Education remained central to Jackie's life; at 45, she returned to school to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with High Honors from Saint Elizabeth University in New Jersey, reinforcing her belief that learning never stops.

In 2000, Jackie, Mike, and their children founded the Bezos Family Foundation, dedicated to advancing early childhood development and youth leadership.

Jackie played a central role in two initiatives: Vroom, which translates brain research into practical tools for parents, and the Bezos Scholars Program, which supports emerging leaders in the United States and Africa.

Jeff has often acknowledged his mother's influence. In 2017, he shared a childhood photo of them together on X, expressing gratitude for all she had done for him.

In his tribute following her death, he reflected on her determination as a young mother, her devotion to family, and her lifelong habit of expanding her circle of care. He then revealed that his mom had been living with a degenerative neurological condition.

"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 said.

The family expressed gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and friends who cared for Jackie in her final years. They encouraged donations to a nonprofit organization or a simple act of kindness in her memory.

Jeff's mother died less than two months after his wedding to Lauren Sanchez in Venice, Italy.

Lauren said "I do" to Jeff in a wedding that became one of the most talked-about events of the year. She later shared their first wedding day photo, showing her dress that had everyone talking.

In the picture posted on June 27, Sánchez walked hand-in-hand with Jeff down the aisle. The bride wore a lace-blanketed gown with a sweeping train and veil, while Bezos wore a classic black tuxedo. Her caption simply read, "06/27/2025" with a pink heart emoji.

For her dress, Lauren selected Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of Dolce and Gabbana to craft the gown. Instead of choosing a modern silhouette, she aimed for timeless glamour inspired by the 1950s.

According to reports, the design was based on the dress Sophia Loren wore in the 1958 film "Houseboat," featuring a white boned corset with a sweetheart neckline, lace extending to a high neck and long sleeves, and 180 chiffon-covered buttons running down the middle.

But unlike Sophia's full '50s skirt, Lauren's version had a fluted mermaid silhouette topped with a sweeping tulle-and-lace veil, reportedly taking more than 900 hours to create.

Netizens wasted no time sharing their opinions about Lauren's dress. One comment read, "For 20 million wedding, the gown looked cheaply made," while someone else shared, "Is the dress on backwards?"

A third person added, "Dress on backwards? Never seen these buttons on the front, otherwise I think it could have been beautiful," while someone else also asked, "Why does that dress look like it's on backwards? 😮"

Other comments suggested the dress looked like she bought it from Amazon. "All that money, and that's what she chose to wear?" someone else typed.

One person, however, offered a compliment, saying, "She actually looks really pretty here. I'm glad she covered up a bit." Others also thought Lauren looked beautiful and offered their congratulations.

This is not the first time Lauren has left people talking about her fashion choices. She and Jeff recently attended the amfAR charity gala on May 22, in France, and their presence at the event drew attention, not just for the cause they supported, but also for their appearance and interactions.

The couple posed together for photos, with Jeff dressed in a classic black tuxedo featuring satin peak lapels, a white dress shirt, and a black bow tie. Lauren wore a strapless, figure-hugging gown that sparkled under the lights.

The blue and silver dress was embellished with sequins and beadwork, and its mermaid-style train extended along the floor. She paired the outfit with a small clutch and styled her hair in soft waves over her shoulders.

However, during the event, Lauren was seen kissing Jeff on the cheek while he looked straight ahead. The moment, captured on camera, stirred mixed reactions across social media platforms, with some questioning the couple's body language.

On Instagram, one person wrote, "He looks very unhappy." Another commented, "He looks regretful," while a third added, "So embarrassing he didn't kiss her back just gave her the cheek [sic]."

The discussion extended to TikTok, where comments echoed similar sentiments. One viewer remarked, "He's as cold as ice." Another said, "I think he's missing his ex-wife."

People on Facebook also weighed in with their observations. One commenter shared, "How things have changed. She's holding on to him, whereas he use to hold her hand and she kissed him and he did not kiss back. Doomed he's tired of her. Just my opinion but who really knows [sic]."

Another quipped, "He cannot even look at her!" and a third stated, "He doesn't look happy for such a fun scene."

The buzz surrounding Jeff and Lauren did not stop at their recent gala appearance. Following TMZ's report in late March, the couple's wedding was being described as ultra-luxurious and exclusive.

Set for the summer, the event was expected to gather a star-studded guest list and unfold as one of the most high-profile ceremonies of the year.

Invitations reportedly went out to major public figures and celebrities, including Eva Longoria, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and singer Jewel.

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, along with Karlie Kloss and her husband Joshua Kushner, were also among the names said to have received invitations. Sources claimed that Barry Diller, Diane von Furstenberg, Brian Grazer, Brooks Nader, and Camila Morrone made the final list as well.

Jeff and Lauren began their relationship in 2019, frequently vacationing in high-end destinations such as St. Barts and the South of France. In 2023, he proposed aboard his superyacht while cruising through Europe.

With a two-year engagement and extensive planning time, sources said the wedding celebration reflected both their style and stature.

According to reports by AP News, the Italian city of Venice officially confirmed on March 29 that it will host the couple's wedding. The announcement was made to address growing speculation and misinformation about the scale and impact of the event.

While the city did not disclose an exact date at the time, Italian media reports estimated that the wedding festivities would take place between June 24 and June 26, spanning several days.

In a public statement, Venice authorities denied claims that the event would overwhelm the city. They emphasized that the wedding would be limited to around 200 guests, a number they noted was well within the city's capacity to manage without disrupting residents or tourists.

Referencing previous high-profile occasions such as George and Amal Clooney's 2014 wedding, G20 and G7 summits, and international art exhibitions, the city underscored its readiness to host major global events.

Despite rumors that organizers had pre-booked many of Venice's luxury accommodations and transportation resources, city officials clarified that all plans were being executed in coordination with local authorities.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro affirmed that efforts were underway to ensure the ceremony respects "the fragility and uniqueness of the city."

From their high-profile appearance at the amfAR gala to the anticipation surrounding their wedding in Venice, Bezos and Lauren Sánchez continued to draw public interest.