The world of business and philanthropy is mourning today after heartbreaking news emerged from Miami: Jacklyn Gise Bezos, the beloved mother of Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos, has passed away at the age of 78. According to close family sources, Jacklyn had been battling Lewy body disease — a devastating neurological disorder — for several years. Her condition reportedly worsened in recent months, culminating in a sudden collapse that left her unconscious before she passed peacefully.

Lewy body disease, often called “Lewy body dementia,” is a progressive brain disorder that affects thinking, memory, and movement. Those close to the Bezos family say Jacklyn fought the illness with remarkable strength, refusing to let it strip away her sharp wit and unwavering support for her family. Tragically, the disease took its final toll just one hour before the announcement was made public.

Jeff Bezos, visibly emotional during the statement, described his mother as “the foundation of everything I am.” He credited her with instilling in him an insatiable curiosity, a relentless work ethic, and a deep sense of compassion — qualities that helped him build Amazon into one of the most influential companies in history. “She was more than my mother,” Bezos said, his voice breaking. “She was my friend, my guide, and my greatest teacher.”

Born in 1946 in New Mexico, Jacklyn Gise Bezos was a determined and resourceful woman. She famously gave birth to Jeff when she was just 17, defying the odds to raise him as a single mother before later marrying Miguel Bezos, who adopted Jeff. Her story has often been told as an example of grit and resilience — values she passed down to her children and grandchildren.

In addition to being a devoted mother, Jacklyn was a passionate philanthropist. She co-founded the Bezos Family Foundation, which focuses on education and leadership initiatives around the world. Colleagues say she remained actively involved in the foundation’s work until her health began to deteriorate, always insisting that education was the most powerful tool for creating change.

Tributes have poured in from friends, colleagues, and even world leaders, all acknowledging her quiet but profound impact. Bill Gates, a longtime friend of the Bezos family, wrote: “Jackie was a remarkable woman whose influence will be felt for generations. Her kindness and dedication to education inspired us all.”

Despite her illness, those who visited her in her final months say she remained fiercely optimistic. “She refused to let the disease define her,” one family friend recalled. “Even on the hardest days, she found a reason to smile.”

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced, but the Bezos family is expected to hold a private ceremony in Miami before a larger public memorial in Seattle, the city where Amazon was founded. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to organizations dedicated to Lewy body disease research, in hopes of sparing other families the pain they have endured.

Her passing marks the end of an era for the Bezos family — a poignant reminder that behind one of the world’s richest men stood a mother whose strength and love shaped his journey. Though she may be gone, Jacklyn Gise Bezos leaves behind a legacy of resilience, generosity, and unwavering belief in the power of possibility.

Jeff Bezos ended his tribute with words that encapsulate the depth of his loss: “I owe everything to my mom. Today, the world lost an incredible woman. But to me, I lost my home.”