Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez marry in Lavish $10m Venice wedding
Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and one of the world's wealthiest individuals, has officially married journalist and former TV anchor Lauren Sánchez in a spectacular $10 million wedding celebration in Venice, Italy. The three-day event took place on the historic island of San Giorgio Maggiore and drew a glittering guest list of global A-listers, including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Anna Wintour.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez just married in Venice in a $10M celebration with Oprah, Gates, DiCaprio—and local protests demanding higher taxes.
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The opulent affair was meticulously planned by British firm Lanza & Baucina and hosted across several iconic Venetian locations, such as the Aman Venice, Gritti Palace, and Belmond Cipriani—hotels known for hosting celebrities like George and Amal Clooney. Sánchez’s wedding dress was reportedly chosen with the assistance of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, while music legend Elton John was said to be considered for a performance.
Despite the glamour, the celebrations were not without controversy. Many locals and activists voiced concern over the city's disruption and growing inequality. Protesters displayed banners with messages like “No Space for Bezos” and “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax,” referencing Bezos’ controversial tax history and space ambitions with Blue Origin. Greenpeace Italy and activist group Everyone Hates Elon joined forces to protest what they called a tone-deaf display of extreme wealth in a city facing environmental and economic challenges.
Venetians expressed frustration over rerouted canals, blocked streets, and limited access to parts of the city, likening the event to a billionaire's playground. Some even threatened to fill the canals with inflatable obstacles to disrupt the festivities.
In response, Bezos and Sánchez reportedly adjusted the main celebration venue from the centrally located Scuola Grande della Misericordia to the more secluded Arsenale. Their wedding team emphasized efforts to minimize the event’s impact, including sourcing 80% of wedding goods from local Venetian vendors.
Furthermore, the couple made philanthropic efforts to give back to the host city. In April, they quietly donated to local charities, and on Monday, Veneto Region President Luca Zaia announced a €1 million ($1.16 million) donation by Bezos and Sánchez to the Corila Consortium, a research organization dedicated to protecting Venice’s fragile lagoon ecosystem. Zaia praised the donation as “an act of great sensitivity and foresight.”
Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, dismissed the protests and welcomed the high-profile wedding, saying, “Whoever loves Venice will always be welcome.” City officials assured residents that the wedding, with 250 guests, would blend into the city’s rhythm while honoring its traditions and beauty.
