Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell is an American businesswoman and mother who became well-known through her marriage to NFL legend Jerry Rice. While many people recognize her as the ex-wife of one of football’s greatest players, her life story shows much more than just her connection to a famous athlete. She has faced serious health problems, built her own business, and raised three children while staying out of the spotlight.
Quick Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell |
| Date of Birth | April 4, 1964 |
| Age | 60 years old (as of 2024) |
| Birthplace | Starkville, Mississippi, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Parents | Coach Mitchell (father), Gloria Campbell (mother) |
| Education | Greenville High School, University of Southern Mississippi |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Businesswoman |
| Business | Pet Gear Elite (pet supplies store) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Jerry Rice (married 1987-2009) |
| Children | 3 (Jaqui Bonet, Jerry Rice Jr., Jada Symone) |
| Known For | Ex-wife of Jerry Rice, entrepreneur, surviving health crisis |
| Net Worth | Estimated $15 million |
Early Life and Education
Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell was born on April 4, 1964, in Starkville, Mississippi. She grew up in a family that valued sports and education. Her father, known as Coach Mitchell, worked as a high school coach at Greenville High School. This background taught her about hard work and discipline from a young age.
During her time at Greenville High School, Jacqueline was active in many school activities. She worked as a cheerleader and joined beauty contests. In 1984, she won the Miss Black Greenville Teen title, which showed her confidence and leadership skills. After finishing high school, she went to the University of Southern Mississippi to continue her education.
Meeting Jerry Rice and Marriage
Jacqueline met Jerry Rice in 1985 while he was studying at Mississippi Valley State University. At that time, Jerry was 22 years old and already making a name for himself as a talented football player. Jacqueline was just 17 and still finishing her final year of high school. Despite their age difference, they connected well and started dating.
The couple got married on September 8, 1987, in a beautiful ceremony with family and friends. Their marriage lasted for more than 20 years. During this time, Jacqueline supported Jerry through his amazing NFL career. She attended games, joined charity events, and helped him become one of the greatest wide receivers in football history.
Children and Family Life
Jacqueline and Jerry welcomed three children during their marriage. Their first daughter, Jaqui Bonet Rice, was born in 1987. She now works as the CEO of her father’s company, GOAT Fuel. Their son, Jerry Rice Jr., was born in 1991. He followed his father’s footsteps and played football, though he did not make it to the NFL. Their youngest daughter, Jada Symone Rice, was born in 1996.
As a mother, Jacqueline focused on raising her children with strong values. She taught them about hard work, respect, and staying humble despite their father’s fame. Even after her divorce, she continued to be a loving and supportive mother to all three children.
The Health Crisis That Changed Everything
In 1996, after giving birth to Jada, Jacqueline faced a terrible medical emergency. During the delivery, everything seemed normal at first. But soon after the baby was born, Jacqueline started bleeding heavily. This condition, called severe hemorrhaging, became life-threatening very quickly.
Doctors had to perform emergency surgery to stop the bleeding. Despite their efforts, Jacqueline slipped into a coma that lasted for three months. Jerry stayed by her side at the hospital, watching for any signs of improvement. He later said in an interview that he thought he might lose his wife.
When Jacqueline finally woke up from the coma, Jerry was the first person she saw. However, her recovery was far from over. She had lost all feeling in her legs and could not walk. For the first year after waking up, she had to use a wheelchair. Slowly, over the next few years, she moved from a wheelchair to a walker, and then to crutches. Through hard work and determination, she eventually learned to walk again.
The End of Marriage
After 20 years together, cracks began to show in Jacqueline and Jerry’s marriage. In 2007, news came out that Jerry had an affair with another woman. This relationship resulted in the birth of Jerry’s fourth child, Brenden Rice, with a woman named Djakarta Edwards.
Jacqueline filed for divorce in 2007 after learning about the affair. The divorce process took two years and became final in December 2009. Because the couple never signed a prenuptial agreement, the court ordered Jerry to split his wealth with Jacqueline. She received approximately $15 million in the divorce settlement, which helped her start a new life on her own.
Despite the pain of divorce, both Jacqueline and Jerry agreed to focus on their children’s well-being. Jacqueline has spoken about the importance of co-parenting and keeping a positive environment for their kids. Today, they maintain a friendly relationship for the sake of their family.
Life as an Entrepreneur
After the divorce, Jacqueline decided to build her own identity separate from her famous ex-husband. In 2023, she started a business called Pet Gear Elite, an online store that sells pet supplies. She started this business because she loves animals and has six pets at home: Royalty, King Louis, Bleu I.V, Elle V., QoeQoe, and ReignBeaux.
The business does more than just sell pet products. Jacqueline uses Pet Gear Elite to support charity work. She helps organizations that rescue and care for animals that have been hurt, ignored, or left behind. This shows her caring nature and desire to make a positive difference in the world.
Current Life and Privacy
Today, Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell lives a quiet life away from cameras and media attention. She has chosen to keep her personal life private and rarely appears in public. However, her children sometimes share photos with her on social media during family events and special occasions.
Unlike many people connected to celebrities, Jacqueline never tried to use her fame to get attention. She has not written books about her marriage or given many interviews about her personal life. This choice to stay private has earned her respect from people who value dignity and grace.
Conclusion
Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell’s life shows true strength and courage. From surviving a life-threatening health crisis to building her own business after divorce, she has proven that it’s possible to overcome any challenge. While many know her as Jerry Rice’s ex-wife, she has created her own success story as a businesswoman, loving mother, and animal welfare supporter. Today, she lives a quiet, private life focused on family and helping others. Her journey inspires people to stay strong during hard times and build their own path to happiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old is Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell?
- She is 60 years old, born on April 4, 1964.
2. How many children does she have?
- She has three children: Jaqui Bonet, Jerry Rice Jr., and Jada Symone.
3. What business does she own?
- She owns Pet Gear Elite, an online pet supplies store.
4. Why did she divorce Jerry Rice?
- They divorced in 2009 after Jerry had an affair with another woman.
5. What was her health crisis?
- After giving birth in 1996, she fell into a coma for three months and couldn’t walk for a year.
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