In 1995, Jeff Bezos’ parents made a bold move by investing $245,573 in his nascent venture, Amazon—a decision that paid off spectacularly.

In the early days of Amazon, Jeff Bezos was just a young entrepreneur seeking investors for his groundbreaking e-commerce venture. Little did he know that the contributions of his family, particularly his parents, would lead to unimaginable wealth and influence. This article explores the origins of Jeff Bezos, his family background, and the incredible journey of Amazon from its inception to its significant financial implications today.

Early Life and Education of Jeff Bezos

In 1994, Jeff Bezos was actively seeking financial support for his nascent e-commerce business, Amazon.com. His ambitious goal was to raise $1 million, appealing to friends, family, and anyone willing to invest. Among those who responded were his parents, Ted Jorgensen and Jacklyn Gise, who provided substantial support with a total investment of $245,573 over two transactions in 1995 and 1996. By May 1997, when Amazon went public, Bezos’s parents became part of a remarkable financial success story.

But the path to success was laden with challenges from the very beginning. Jacklyn, known as Jackie, and Ted met as teenagers in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At just 16, Jackie discovered she was pregnant, while Ted, 18 at the time, was more focused on his passion for unicycles. Their early life was tumultuous; Jackie faced criticism from her school for her unplanned pregnancy, which led to restrictions on her attendance and social interactions.

Despite these challenges, Jackie remained determined to earn a college degree. After Ted and Jackie eloped to Mexico and welcomed their son, Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen, on January 12, 1964, their relationship faltered. Jackie filed for divorce in June 1965 and later pursued her education while raising her son. Remarkably, she enrolled in night classes at the University of New Mexico, choosing courses that allowed her to bring her baby along.

The Family That Shaped a Billionaire

While studying, Jackie met Miguel Bezos, a Cuban immigrant facing his own struggles after his family lost their business during the Castro regime. The two began dating, and by 1968, they were married. Miguel then adopted Jeff, who became known as Jeff Bezos. Ted Jorgensen, Jeff’s biological father, consented to the adoption and chose to step out of their lives entirely. He remained unaware of Jeff’s monumental success until years later, when a biographer located him in 2012.

After establishing a stable life, Miguel Bezos worked at Exxon for 32 years, ultimately relocating the family to Miami, where Jeff developed into the young man who would found Amazon. Jeff’s venture started in 1994 as “Cadabra,” before it was renamed to reflect its broader vision. That initial year, while launching Amazon, Jeff worked tirelessly to attract investors, warning his parents about the inherent risks involved in such a fledgling venture.

Despite the potential for failure, Jeff’s bold move paid off significantly. According to Amazon’s pre-IPO prospectus, Miguel purchased 582,528 shares in February 1995, while Jackie acquired 874,716 shares in July 1996. Their collective investment granted them a 6% stake in the nascent company. Had they retained their shares, that stake today would be worth approximately $145 billion.

By the end of 1999, their ownership percentage dipped below 5%, coinciding with the establishment of the Bezos Family Foundation. The foundation’s current value is speculative but has been suggested to be around $2.7 billion today based on substantial share transfers made over the years.

Despite the profound challenges Jackie faced earlier in life, she achieved her dream of earning a college degree in 1986, after her children had left for college. Jackie Bezos passed away on August 14, 2025, at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with her son’s extraordinary accomplishments.