Jackie Bezos, who has died aged 78, helped to launch her son Jeff on the path to becoming a multi-billionaire by providing an initial investment of $245,000 to create the online retailer Amazon.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is mourning the loss of his mother, Jackie Bezos, who died Thursday at the age of 78 after battling a form of dementia. In an Instagram post alongside a photo of her, the 61-year-old billionaire recalled that her adult life "a little bit early" when she became a mother at 17.

Jeff Bezos is mourning the loss of his mother, Jacklyn “ Jackie” Bezos, who died at the age of 78 on August 14, 2025. The late Bezos Family Foundation founder was living with dementia during her final years, and Jeff paid tribute to her in an emotional public statement.