Mattie Louise Strait was Jeff Bezos’ grandmother and the founder of Amazon. She was born in Texas, United States, on August 14, 1915. Her life was completely different from life today. She is one part of the strong family background behind one of the world’s best-known businessmen.
Mattie married Lawrence Preston Gise, who was a large part of her life and that of her family. They had a daughter together, Jacklyn Gise, who would later become the mother of Jeff Bezos.
Mattie died on July 24, 1977, in San Antonio, Texas. Although she died before Jeff was famous, her family heritage and her values had a lasting influence.
Quick Facts About Mattie Louise Strait
| Full Name | Mattie Louise Strait |
| Birthdate | August 14, 1915 |
| Occupation | Homemaker |
| Husband/Wife | Lawrence Preston Gise |
| Education | Information not widely available |
| Age at Time of Death | 61 years old (Passed away on July 24, 1977) |
| Parents | Yancy Clarence Strait and Marie A. Vesper |
| Grandchildren | Jeff Bezos, Mark Bezos, Christina Bezos |
| Children | Jacklyn Gise (Mother of Jeff Bezos) |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
A Texas Family with Deep Roots
Mattie’s family was deeply rooted in Texas. The Straits were among the early settlers of the state. This deep Texas heritage remained strong in the family. Jeff Bezos, as a kid, would spend summers on a big ranch in Cotulla, Texas. This ranch was owned by Mattie’s husband, Lawrence Preston Gise.
The ranch was a place close to Jeff’s heart. It was originally a 25,000-acre ranch. Jeff contributed to its expansion over the years to more than 300,000 acres. He acquired many life lessons there, particularly from his grandfather. These summers formed the man that Jeff became.
Her Husband: A Leader in His Field
Mattie’s husband, Lawrence Preston Gise, was a worker for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. He served as a regional director in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After retirement, he relocated with Mattie to their Texas ranch. There, they lived a more peaceful life.
Lawrence was a wise and diligent man. Jeff frequently looked up to him. He instructed Jeff on how to repair things, figure things out, and think thoroughly. These things assisted Jeff later in life when he began Amazon.
A Mother and Grandmother
Mattie’s daughter, Jacklyn Gise, was a teenager when she had a child of her own at the age of 17. She had her son Jeff in 1964. She was still in school at the time. It was not easy, but she labored to raise her son.
Later, Jacklyn wed Miguel Bezos, who was from Cuba. Miguel had adopted Jeff and given him the surname Bezos. Although Miguel raised Jeff, the affection and encouragement from his mother and grandparents influenced his life.
A Surprising Family Connection
There is a fun fact about Mattie Louise Strait. She is a distant relative of country music artist George Strait. Both families have common ancestors. This means that Jeff Bezos and George Strait are distant cousins.
Although their lives are vastly different—one in business, the other in music—they both have deep Texas roots. It’s a cool connection between two celebrities.
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Why She Matters Today
Mattie might not be a celebrity name, but her life formed much of the building block that paved the path for Jeff Bezos’s greatness. Her roots in Texas, close family morals, and relation to hard labor were all contributors. She fostered a daughter who fostered a world-maker entrepreneur.
Although she died many years ago, Mattie’s legacy remains in her family. Jeff frequently mentions the things he learned on the Texas ranch. Those things were learned from the life she created with her husband.
