Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell is known as the ex-wife of NFL legend Jerry Rice. But her story is much more than just being married to a famous football player. She is a strong woman who faced difficult times, fought for her life, and built a new future for herself. Today, she runs her own business and helps animals in need.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 4, 1964 |
| Age | 60 years old (as of 2024) |
| Birthplace | Starkville, Mississippi, USA |
| Parents | Coach Mitchell (father), Gloria Campbell (mother) |
| Children | Jaqui Bonet Rice, Jerry Rice Jr., Jada Symone Rice |
| Ex-Husband | Jerry Rice (married 1987-2009) |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Business Owner |
| Business | Pet Gear Elite (founded 2023) |
| Known For | Ex-wife of Jerry Rice, surviving a life-threatening coma |
Early Life and Background
Jacqueline was born on April 4, 1964, in Starkville, Mississippi. She grew up in a loving family. Her father was a respected high school coach in Greenville, and her mother took care of the family. When Jacqueline was young, her parents separated. Her mother later married Charles Campbell in 1995.
During her school years, Jacqueline was active and popular. She was a cheerleader at Greenville High School and participated in beauty contests. In 1984, she won the title of Miss Black Greenville Teen. This shows she was confident and talented from a young age. After high school, she went to the University of Southern Mississippi to continue her education.
Meeting Jerry Rice
Jacqueline’s life changed in 1985 when she met Jerry Rice. At that time, she was just 17 years old and still in high school. Jerry was 22 and playing football at Mississippi Valley State University. He was already becoming known as a great football player.
Even though Jacqueline’s mother was not happy about the relationship at first, she changed her mind after meeting Jerry in person. The young couple dated for about three years before deciding to get married.
Marriage and Family
Jacqueline and Jerry Rice got married on September 8, 1987. It was a big wedding with family and friends celebrating together. Their marriage lasted for 22 years, and during this time, they had three children together.
Their first child, Jaqui Bonet, was born in 1987. Four years later, in 1991, they welcomed their son Jerry Rice Jr. Their youngest daughter, Jada Symone, was born in 1996. As Jerry’s football career grew bigger, Jacqueline supported him and took care of their family. She also joined him at many charity events, showing she cared about helping others.
The Life-Threatening Health Crisis
In 1996, something terrible happened that almost took Jacqueline’s life. When she gave birth to her third child, Jada, everything seemed normal at first. But then serious problems started. Jacqueline began losing a lot of blood very quickly. The doctors tried to save her, but the situation became very dangerous.
Jacqueline fell into a coma and stayed unconscious for three months. Jerry stayed by her side at the hospital every day. He watched for any sign that she was getting better. It was a scary time for the whole family.
When Jacqueline finally woke up from the coma, Jerry was the first person she saw. He said her smile lit up the room. But the problems were not over yet. Jacqueline could not walk or even breathe properly at first. She had to use a wheelchair for the first year. Slowly, with hard work and time, she learned to walk again. First with a walker, then with crutches, and finally on her own.
This experience taught Jacqueline and her family how important it is to value each day and to support each other during hard times.
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The Divorce
After more than 20 years of marriage, Jacqueline and Jerry Rice’s relationship had problems. In 2007, news came out that Jerry had an affair with another woman. This affair resulted in the birth of a son named Brenden Rice.
Jacqueline was hurt by this news and decided to file for divorce in June 2007. The divorce was finalized in December 2009. Because the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement, the court ordered Jerry to share his money and property with Jacqueline. She received about $15 million from the divorce settlement. This money helped her to be independent and start a new life.
Even though the divorce was painful, both Jacqueline and Jerry decided to focus on being good parents to their children. Jacqueline has spoken about the importance of working together as parents, even when they are no longer married.
Starting a New Life
After the divorce, Jacqueline stayed away from public attention. She wanted privacy and time to heal. But she did not sit still. In 2023, she started her own business called Pet Gear Elite. This is an online store that sells supplies for pets.
Jacqueline loves animals very much. She has six pets at home with names like Royalty, King Louis, Bleu I.V, Elle V., QoeQoe, and ReignBeaux. Her love for animals inspired her to create this business.
But Pet Gear Elite is not just about selling products. Jacqueline also uses her business to help animals that need rescue. She supports organizations that save and care for animals that have been hurt, left alone, or treated badly. This shows that she has a kind heart and wants to make the world better for animals.
Her Three Children
Jacqueline is very proud of her three children. Each of them has their own path in life.
Jaqui Bonet Rice is the oldest child, born in 1987. She married an artist named Trevion Gold in 2021 and now goes by the name Jaqui Rice Gold. She is active on social media and has her own life separate from her famous father. Jaqui also helped create a company with her father called GOAT Fuel, which sells energy drinks.
Jerry Rice Jr. was born in 1991. He tried to follow his father’s path by playing football in college at UCLA and UNLV. He hoped to play in the NFL but had to stop because of an injury. Now he works as a real estate agent in California and also promotes GOAT Fuel products.
Jada Symone Rice is the youngest, born in 1996. She keeps her life more private than her siblings. In 2020, she got very sick with COVID-19 and lost a lot of weight, but she recovered. She also works with the family business GOAT Fuel.
All three children have a close relationship with their mother and appear at family events together.
Life Today
Today, Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell lives a quiet but meaningful life. She focuses on her business, her children, and helping animals. She does not seek attention or fame. Instead, she chooses to live with dignity and peace.
Jerry Rice has remarried. In 2019, he married Latisha Pelayo after dating for many years. Meanwhile, Jacqueline continues to build her own success story.
Jacqueline’s journey shows that life can be very difficult sometimes. She almost died, went through a painful divorce, and had to rebuild her life from the beginning. But she never gave up. She is a survivor who turned her pain into purpose.
Her story teaches us that we are stronger than we think. Even when bad things happen, we can choose to move forward and create something good. Jacqueline is not just “Jerry Rice’s ex-wife.” She is a mother, a business owner, an animal lover, and an example of strength and courage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old is Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell?
Jacqueline was born on April 4, 1964, which makes her 60 years old as of 2024.
2. How many children does Jacqueline have with Jerry Rice?
Jacqueline and Jerry Rice have three children together: Jaqui Bonet Rice (born 1987), Jerry Rice Jr. (born 1991), and Jada Symone Rice (born 1996).
3. What business does Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell own?
In 2023, Jacqueline started a business called Pet Gear Elite. It is an online store that sells pet supplies. She also uses the business to support animal rescue organizations.
4. Why did Jacqueline Mitchell fall into a coma?
In 1996, after giving birth to her daughter Jada, Jacqueline had serious complications. She started bleeding very badly, which led to her falling into a coma for three months. She had to learn to walk again after waking up.
5. How much money did Jacqueline receive from the divorce?
Reports say that Jacqueline received about $15 million in the divorce settlement from Jerry Rice. This happened because the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement before marriage.
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