Jeff Bezos's Mom Knew He Was 'Wired A Little Differently' As A Baby — Trying To Take Apart His Crib With A Screwdriver 'Really Confirmed It'

Jeff Bezos is the man who brought the world Amazon.com Inc., forever transforming online retail and e-commerce. 

Yet, it may surprise many to find out that the woman who raised this visionary entrepreneur was a single teenage mother who had to bring her baby with her to night school. Despite the challenges she faced, Jackie Bezos says she knew from early on that her son was “different” from other kids, possessing an insatiable curiosity and a mind brimming with inventive ideas beyond his years.

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Speaking at the 2011 FIRST Championship "Mothers Of Invention," Jackie Bezos reminisced about an amusing yet revealing episode from her son's childhood that showcased his innate curiosity and knack for mechanics.

“When Jeff was 2½, he was riding one of those kiddie park boat rides that just goes around in circles," Jackie Bezos said. "I was amazed that all he wanted to do was watch the cables, pulleys and look into the water to figure out how it worked. I felt a bit disappointed because, as a mom, I wanted that mother-son connection where he looked at me. I think I realized early on that he was wired a little differently. And then when he tried to take apart his crib with a screwdriver, that really confirmed it.”

This anecdote not only highlights Jeff Bezos's fascination with how things worked from a young age but also a mother’s dawning realization of her child’s unique potential — a potential that would lead to founding Amazon, a company with a $1.8 trillion market capitalization as of March.

Jackie Bezos also shared insights into nurturing her son's intellectual growth, despite not always grasping his advanced concepts. Placing him in roles that tapped his strengths, like assigning offense plays for him to memorize in football, was one strategy. 

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“I think talent manifests itself. But being able to fully participate in the world requires venturing into areas you’re not comfortable with. We tried to do that. We also listened. I often had no idea what he was talking about,” she said.

In a heartfelt Mother’s Day message on X in 2022, Jeff Bezos acknowledged his mother's profound impact, writing, “Mom, I have no idea how you did what you did. You kept us both safe in your heart. Thank you for sharing your strength and all your sacrifices. I love you.” 

Jackie Bezos wasn’t the only mother who has shared stories about raising a child destined for greatness. Maye Musk, the mother of visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk, also recounted stories of her son’s brilliance from a young age. These mothers recognized something special in their children and believed they were destined for greatness, both supporting their sons' business ventures. 

Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, as it turned out, weren’t just dreamers — they had big ideas waiting to change the world. This is the essence of true innovation. Startups offer an opportunity for anyone to be part of the next game-changing idea. The potential to invest in the next Amazon, Tesla Inc. or another world-altering venture is open to anyone, often with as little as $100. 

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