Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell: The Inspiring Story of Jerry Rice’s Ex-Wife

Have you ever heard of Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell? She was once married to Jerry Rice, one of the best football players of all time. Most people know Jerry for his amazing career, but not many know the story of Jacqueline, the woman who stood beside him for many years.

Jacqueline went through a lot in her life. She helped support Jerry while he became a star. Later, she almost lost her life after giving birth. And after their marriage ended, she stayed strong and built a new life for herself.

In this article, we’ll take a simple and close look at Jacqueline’s life. You’ll learn about her childhood, her marriage to Jerry Rice, her health battle, her kids, her business, and where she is now. Her story is full of strength, love, and never giving up.

Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell Quick Bio

Who Is Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell?

Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell is an American woman who became widely known for being the first wife of NFL legend Jerry Rice. But there’s much more to her than just that title.

She’s a mother, a survivor, and now an entrepreneur. Jacqueline’s life includes joy, pain, love, and strength. Her story is one of family, healing, and learning to rise again, even after facing very difficult moments. In 2025, she’s living a quieter life but continues to be admired for her strength and grace.

Jacqueline’s Early Life and Childhood

Jacqueline was born on April 4, 1964, in Starkville, Mississippi. She was raised mostly by her mother, Gloria Campbell, after her parents separated when she was young. Her father, known as Coach Mitchell, was a respected coach at Greenville High School — the same school Jacqueline attended.

Even as a young girl, Jacqueline stood out. She was a cheerleader in school and took part in beauty pageants. In 1984, she won the title of Miss Black Greenville Teen — a proud and joyful moment in her early life.

Later, she went on to study at the University of Southern Mississippi, showing that she valued education as well as personal growth.

How Jacqueline Met Jerry Rice

The love story between Jacqueline and Jerry Rice began in 1985. Jacqueline was just 17 years old, a senior in high school. Jerry, who was 22, was already becoming famous while playing football at Mississippi Valley State University.

The first time they met, Jacqueline asked Jerry for an autograph. Instead of just signing it, he wrote a sweet message and told her she was beautiful. That simple gesture sparked something special between them.

Soon, they started dating. Their connection grew stronger over the years, even as Jerry’s football career began to take off.

Marriage to NFL Star Jerry Rice

After dating for four years, Jerry Rice proposed to Jacqueline. The two got married on September 8, 1987. It was a beautiful moment, full of hope and love. Family and friends celebrated the wedding, and it marked the start of a new chapter in their lives.

As Jerry became a star player for the San Francisco 49ers, Jacqueline was right there with him. She supported him through the ups and downs of his career, appearing by his side at red carpet events, award shows, and charity programs.

But even though their life looked perfect on the outside, there were challenges ahead that no one could have predicted.

Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell’s Children with Jerry Rice

Jacqueline and Jerry had three children together — each one bringing love and joy into their lives.

• Their first child, Jaqui Bonet Rice, was born in 1987. She later became a strong businesswoman and now runs a company called G.O.A.T. Fuel with her father and husband.

• In 1991, they welcomed their second child, Jerry Rice Jr. He followed his dad’s path in football and even played professionally for a short time. He now works in real estate.

• Their youngest child, Jada Rice, was born in 1996. Jada studied psychology and now works in the insurance industry. She’s also very close to her mom and often shares sweet posts about her on social media.

Jacqueline’s bond with her children has always been strong. She raised them with love, even when life got very hard.

The Health Crisis That Changed Her Life

In 1996, when Jacqueline gave birth to her third child, something unexpected happened. After delivering baby Jada, she began to lose a lot of blood. What was supposed to be a normal delivery turned into a life-threatening emergency.

Doctors had to perform emergency surgery to stop the bleeding. But things were so serious that Jacqueline fell into a coma — and stayed in that coma for three long months.

Imagine how scary that must have been. Her family didn’t know if she would ever wake up. Jerry, her husband at the time, stayed by her side day and night. He even had a room at the hospital just to be close to her. Every day, he watched for small signs of improvement, hoping she would recover.

When Jacqueline finally opened her eyes, the first person she saw was Jerry. He said her smile lit up the room — a moment he would never forget.

Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell’s Strength During Recovery

Waking up from a coma was just the beginning of another long and painful journey for Jacqueline.

When she came out of it, she couldn’t feel her legs. She had to use a wheelchair for the first year of recovery. It wasn’t easy. Slowly, step by step, she worked her way forward — from wheelchair to walker, then to crutches, and finally to a cane.

It took her three full years to walk again. Most people would have given up, but not Jacqueline. Her strength and willpower helped her keep going, one small step at a time.

This part of her story reminds us how powerful the human spirit can be — especially when surrounded by love and support.

The Truth About Jacqueline and Jerry Rice’s Divorce

After going through so much together, things sadly changed for Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell and Jerry Rice in the 2000s.

In 2007, after nearly 20 years of marriage, Jacqueline filed for divorce. Many were surprised by the news, but later it was revealed that Jerry had been unfaithful. He had an affair with a woman named Djakarta Edwards, and they had a child together — a son named Brenden Rice.

This discovery was painful and broke the trust between Jacqueline and Jerry. During the divorce process, Jerry confirmed that he was the father of Brenden, who was born in 2002. This wasn’t the only affair, either. More stories came out, and it became clear that their marriage had been struggling for some time.

Even though it was hard, Jacqueline stayed calm and focused on her children. She wanted to protect them from public drama and kept her dignity through it all.

Life After Divorce

Once the divorce was finalized in 2009, Jacqueline stepped out of the spotlight. She didn’t go to the media or try to stay famous. Instead, she focused on healing, raising her children, and starting a new chapter in life.

She made sure her kids stayed happy and strong, even after the split. Jacqueline and Jerry worked on co-parenting and being there for their children at important events like graduations, birthdays, and sports games.

Even though they are no longer together, Jacqueline and Jerry have remained friendly and respectful — especially for the sake of their family. That shows her mature and kind personality.

Jacqueline’s Business, Pet Gear Elite

In 2023, Jacqueline started her own company called Pet Gear Elite. It’s an online store that sells pet supplies. But it’s not just a business — it’s something she built out of love.

Jacqueline has six pets of her own, and their names are as unique as they are adorable: Royalty, King Louis, Bleu I.V, Elle V., QoeQoe, and ReignBeaux. Her love for animals gave her the idea to help others care for their pets too.

She also uses her business to give back. A part of what she earns goes toward helping abandoned and abused animals around the world. Through her store, she’s making a difference — one paw at a time.

Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell’s Net Worth and Income

Even though Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell hasn’t shared her net worth publicly, many people believe she’s now worth millions. This is mostly due to her divorce settlement with Jerry Rice.

Instead of monthly alimony, she received a share of Jerry’s multi-million dollar assets. This helped her start over financially. On top of that, her business also gives her another stream of income.

Her ex-husband, Jerry Rice, has a net worth of around $50 million. So it’s likely that Jacqueline is living comfortably and has enough to support her family and her business dreams.

Final Thoughts

The story of Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell is not just about being the ex-wife of a famous NFL star. It’s a story about a woman who faced heartbreak, a health crisis, and public divorce — and still came out stronger on the other side.

She didn’t let pain stop her. She didn’t chase fame. She chose peace, family, and purpose.

Jacqueline is now known as more than just Jerry Rice’s ex-wife. She’s a mother, a fighter, a business owner, and a beautiful example of strength and grace.

Many women — and even men — can find inspiration in her story. Life isn’t always perfect. But like Jacqueline shows us, it’s how you rise after the fall that truly matters.

(FAQs)

How old is Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell now?

Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell is 61 years old. She was born on April 4, 1964, and her story still inspires many people in 2025.

Is Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell on Instagram?

No, she stays completely off social media. She lives a private life and avoids the spotlight.

When did Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell and Jerry Rice get married and divorced?

They were married in 1987 and divorced in 2009 — after Jerry’s affair and secret child became public.

Did Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell ever remarry? Where is she now?

No, she never remarried. She now runs her own pet business and enjoys a peaceful life with her kids and pets.

What does Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell do now? How much is she worth?

She’s an entrepreneur who started a pet supply brand. After her divorce, she likely became a multi-millionaire.