Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell is an American entrepreneur born on April 4, 1964, in Starkville, Mississippi. She is also known for her family life, personal strength, and years spent away from public attention.
She became widely known through her marriage to legendary NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice. They married in 1987, raised three children together, and remained married for more than two decades before divorcing in 2009.
Beyond her famous marriage, Jacqueline has experienced major changes throughout her life. This biography explores her early years, education, marriage, children, serious health crisis, divorce, business journey, finances, and private life today.
Quick Bio
| Personal Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell |
| Date of Birth | April 4, 1964 |
| Age | 62 years old as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | Starkville, Mississippi, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Education | Greenville High School; University of Southern Mississippi |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, businesswoman |
| Known For | Former wife of Jerry Rice |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Jerry Rice |
| Marriage Date | September 8, 1987 |
| Divorce | 2009 |
| Children | Jaqui Rice Gold, Jerry Rice Jr., Jada Rice |
| Business | Pet Gear Elite |
| Reported Net Worth | Around $15 million |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Current Residence | United States |
Early Years in Mississippi
Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell was born on April 4, 1964, in Starkville, Mississippi. Her early life was mainly spent in Mississippi, where family, education, sports, and community activities became important parts of her younger years.
Her parents are identified as Coach Mitchell and Gloria Campbell. Her father worked as a coach at Greenville High School, while her parents separated when Jacqueline was young. She was mainly raised by her mother afterward.
Gloria later married Charles Campbell in 1995. Jacqueline grew up away from celebrity attention and enjoyed a relatively normal upbringing before becoming connected with professional sports fame.
Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell’s Age and Appearance
Born on April 4, 1964, Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell is 62 years old as of 2026. During her younger years, she became involved in cheerleading and beauty competitions, showing confidence and an interest in school activities.
Her appearance at events during her marriage to Jerry Rice reflected a simple and elegant personal style. She was often seen accompanying her husband while his professional football career attracted national attention.
Jacqueline has black hair based on her public appearances. Other physical details, including her exact height and weight, have not been part of the personal information she has shared.
Education and Student Life
Jacqueline attended Greenville High School in Mississippi, where she was involved in activities beyond her regular studies. She participated in cheerleading and beauty pageants, experiences that allowed her to develop confidence while she was still young.
One notable achievement came in 1984 when she was named Miss Black Greenville Teen. Her involvement in these activities became an interesting part of her life before she entered the public eye through her relationship.
Jacqueline later continued her studies at the University of Southern Mississippi. Her education provided another important stage of her personal development before marriage, motherhood, and later entrepreneurship.
Meeting Jerry Rice
Jacqueline met Jerry Rice during the period when he was developing into a promising football player in Mississippi. Their relationship began before Jerry achieved the enormous professional success that would later make him one of football’s most famous athletes.
Jerry attended Mississippi Valley State University, where his performances attracted attention and eventually created opportunities in professional football. Jacqueline therefore knew him during an important early stage of his sporting journey.
Their relationship became increasingly serious as Jerry’s career developed. After spending time together as a young couple, Jacqueline and Jerry eventually decided to marry and begin their family life together.
Marriage to Jerry Rice
Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell and Jerry Rice married on September 8, 1987. By that time, Jerry was already building his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, beginning a long period of professional success and increasing fame.
Jacqueline supported family life while Jerry dealt with the demands of professional football. She also appeared alongside him at different public and charitable occasions, including a reported March of Dimes event held in 1994.
Their marriage lasted for more than two decades and included the births of three children. Jacqueline experienced many of Jerry’s greatest career years while also managing the responsibilities connected with motherhood and family.
Who Is Jerry Rice?
Jerry Rice is a retired American football wide receiver who built most of his legendary NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers. He also played for the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks during his long professional career.
Rice became famous for his receiving ability and established numerous records involving receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. With San Francisco, he won three Super Bowl championships and became one of the sport’s most respected players.
His achievements eventually earned him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Away from football, Jerry is a father of four, including three children with Jacqueline.
Jacqueline and Jerry Rice’s Children
Jacqueline and Jerry Rice had three children during their marriage: Jaqui Rice Gold, Jerry Rice Jr., and Jada Rice. Motherhood became an important part of Jacqueline’s life as she raised her children while their father experienced enormous professional fame.
Their eldest daughter, Jaqui, developed a business career, while Jerry Jr. followed his father’s path into football before moving into real estate. Their youngest daughter, Jada, studied psychology and later entered insurance and financial services.
The children eventually developed independent careers and adult lives. Jacqueline has remained connected with them even after her marriage to Jerry came to an end.
Life-Threatening Health Crisis
Jacqueline experienced a severe medical emergency after giving birth to Jada in 1996. What was expected to be a normal delivery became life-threatening when she suffered serious hemorrhaging and lost a large amount of blood.
Her condition became extremely serious, and she eventually fell into a coma that lasted around three months. After regaining consciousness, Jacqueline still faced major physical difficulties, including problems involving her legs, breathing, mobility, and ability to walk.
Recovery took years. Jacqueline initially needed a wheelchair before progressing to a walker, crutches, and a cane. Around three years passed before she could walk independently again.
End of Her Marriage
After roughly two decades together, Jacqueline and Jerry Rice experienced serious difficulties in their marriage. Jacqueline filed for divorce in 2007, beginning a legal process that eventually brought their long relationship to an end.
Their separation was connected with Jerry’s relationship with Djakarta Edwards. Rice and Edwards had a son named Brenden Rice, who was born on March 18, 2002, while Rice was still married to Jacqueline.
The divorce was eventually finalized in 2009. It ended a marriage that had covered much of Jerry’s famous football career and marked a major personal transition for Jacqueline after many years together.
Divorce Settlement and Finances
The end of Jacqueline and Jerry’s marriage also involved the division of assets they had accumulated during their years together. Jacqueline reportedly received a share of their marital assets rather than ongoing alimony after the divorce.
Some accounts have placed Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell’s financial position at around $15 million following the settlement. Her personal wealth, however, also needs to be separated from any estimated value connected specifically with the divorce agreement.
Following the separation, Jacqueline gained greater financial independence and started a different stage of her life. She later became associated with entrepreneurship rather than relying entirely on her connection with Jerry’s football career.
Life After Jerry Rice
After her divorce was completed, Jacqueline became considerably less visible in public. Rather than building a career around celebrity appearances, she focused more strongly on her family, personal interests, health, and independent life.
She has continued appearing with family on certain occasions. In November 2013, she attended Jerry Rice Jr.’s senior night at UNLV alongside Jerry, Jerry Jr., and Jada, showing continued support for her son’s achievements.
Her children have also included Jacqueline in occasional family posts. Jaqui shared a Mother’s Day post involving her mother in 2023, providing another glimpse into Jacqueline’s family-centered life after divorce.
Business and Pet Gear Elite
Jacqueline later moved into entrepreneurship and has been associated with Pet Gear Elite, an online business focused on pet supplies. She reportedly established the company in 2023, adding a business venture to her life after years spent mainly outside public attention.
Her interest in animals played an important role in choosing this type of business. Pet Gear Elite offers products aimed at pet owners while connecting Jacqueline’s entrepreneurial interests with her passion for animal care.
The venture has also been linked with support for organizations helping abused, abandoned, and neglected animals. It represents Jacqueline’s effort to establish an independent professional identity through business.
Private Life and Social Media
Jacqueline has maintained a low-key lifestyle since her divorce from Jerry Rice. She rarely gives interviews or makes frequent public appearances, choosing instead to keep much of her everyday life within her family circle.
She also does not maintain a widely recognized public social media presence. As a result, recent glimpses into her personal life often appear through photographs or posts shared by her children and other family members.
Jacqueline continues to be associated mainly with the United States, although her exact current residence remains private. Her limited media activity reflects the quieter lifestyle she adopted after her high-profile marriage ended.
Jerry Rice’s Family Life After Their Divorce
Following the end of his marriage to Jacqueline, Jerry Rice continued his personal life and eventually developed a long-term relationship with Latisha Pelayo. After dating for several years, Jerry and Latisha decided to marry.
Their wedding took place on October 20, 2019, in Napa Valley, California. Latisha has been involved in the beauty and skincare industry, while she and Jerry do not have children together.
Jerry has four children in total. Three, Jaqui, Jerry Jr., and Jada, are from his marriage to Jacqueline, while his youngest son, Brenden Rice, is his child with Djakarta Edwards.
Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell’s Life and Legacy
Jacqueline is widely recognized because of her connection with Jerry Rice, but several experiences have shaped her personal story. She supported a growing family while Jerry developed into one of professional football’s most successful and recognizable players.
Her survival after the serious medical emergency of 1996 is another defining chapter. Spending months in a coma and then working for years to regain her mobility required considerable patience, determination, and physical effort.
Later, Jacqueline experienced divorce, rebuilt her private life, and explored entrepreneurship. Her story combines family responsibilities, personal hardship, recovery, independence, and a preference for living away from constant celebrity attention.
Final Thoughts
Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell’s journey extends beyond her former marriage to Jerry Rice. Born and educated in Mississippi, she later became a wife and mother while experiencing the pressures surrounding her husband’s extraordinary professional football career.
Her life changed dramatically after Jada’s birth in 1996, when severe hemorrhaging led to a three-month coma and years of rehabilitation. She ultimately recovered and continued raising her family before facing another major transition through divorce.
In later years, Jacqueline chose privacy and entrepreneurship. Her involvement with Pet Gear Elite and continued relationship with her children reflect a life increasingly centered on family, independence, and personal interests.
FAQs About Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell
Who is Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell?
Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell is an American entrepreneur best known as the former wife of NFL legend Jerry Rice. They were married for more than two decades and welcomed three children together before their divorce was finalized in 2009.
How old is Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell?
Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell was born on April 4, 1964, in Starkville, Mississippi, United States. She is 62 years old as of 2026 and spent much of her early life and education in Mississippi.
How many children does Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell have?
Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell has three children with Jerry Rice. Their children are Jaqui Rice Gold, Jerry Rice Jr., and Jada Rice. Each has followed a different path in business, sports, psychology, insurance, and financial services.
What happened to Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell after Jada’s birth?
After giving birth to Jada in 1996, Jacqueline suffered severe hemorrhaging and fell into a coma for about three months. She later faced a long rehabilitation process and gradually regained her ability to walk independently.
Why did Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell and Jerry Rice divorce?
Jacqueline filed for divorce from Jerry Rice in 2007 after their marriage experienced serious difficulties connected with Jerry’s relationship with Djakarta Edwards. Their divorce process continued for about two years and was finalized in 2009.
