Key Points
- Amazon founder Jeff Bezos weds Lauren Sanchez in a star-studded, three-day celebration on San Giorgio Island, Venice, Italy.
- Estimated cost: $46.5–$55.6 million (approx. ₹400–480 crore), making it one of the most expensive celebrity weddings ever.
- Lauren Sanchez dazzled in a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown that reportedly took 18 months to create.
- Over 200 VVIP guests attended, including Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Usher.
- Local Venetian vendors and artisans featured prominently, with 80% of services sourced locally, including the iconic Rosa Salva pastry shop and Murano glassmakers.
- The wedding sparked protests from Venice residents, who criticized the extravagance amid the city’s ongoing struggles with tourism and rising costs.
- Both Bezos and Sanchez have high-profile previous marriages, ending in 2019.
Venice, Italy : Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos, 61, tied the knot with his longtime fiancée, media personality Lauren Sanchez, 55, in a spectacular wedding on the enchanting island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. The ultra-exclusive ceremony, held late Friday night, has quickly become the talk of the global elite and Italian locals alike.
A Royal Wedding on Venetian Waters
The wedding festivities spanned three days, with the main event taking place at the historic Hall of the Arsenale. Lauren Sanchez stunned guests in a breathtaking white gown by Dolce & Gabbana, a couture masterpiece that took nearly a year and a half to design and craft. The couple reportedly spared no expense, with the total cost of the celebration estimated between $46.5 and $55.6 million (₹400–480 crore).
Local Flavor and World-Class Luxury
Bezos and Sanchez made a point to incorporate Venetian culture into their celebration, sourcing 80% of their wedding services from local vendors. The 140-year-old pastry shop Rosa Salva delighted guests with Italian delicacies, while Murano’s famed Laguna B glassworks provided custom art pieces. The couple’s commitment to local artisans added a unique, authentic touch to the opulent affair.
Star Power: A Guest List of Global Icons
The wedding drew more than 200 VVIP guests, including some of the world’s most influential figures:
- Bill Gates (Microsoft co-founder)
- Oprah Winfrey (media mogul)
- Kim and Khloe Kardashian (reality TV stars)
- Leonardo DiCaprio (Hollywood actor)
- Usher (Grammy-winning musician)
Guests were treated to exclusive gifts: men received luxurious blue velvet Venetian slippers, while women were gifted stylish black open-toe Amazon slippers.
Pre-Wedding Extravaganza
The celebrations began with a lavish pre-wedding party on Thursday, setting the tone for a weekend of glamour, gourmet cuisine, and world-class entertainment.
Local Controversy: Venice Voices Concerns
Despite the grandeur, the wedding was not without criticism. Many Venetians voiced their disapproval, labeling the city as a “billionaire’s playground.” Locals argued that such extravagant events overshadow Venice’s real challenges, including overtourism and soaring living costs. Originally planned for the Cannaregio district, the venue was shifted to the Hall of the Arsenale amid growing protests.
Past Relationships: A Second Chance at Love
Both newlyweds have high-profile relationship histories:
- Jeff Bezos divorced his first wife, MacKenzie Scott, in 2019 after 25 years of marriage. They share three sons and an adopted daughter. MacKenzie is now one of the world’s richest women and remarried science teacher Dan Jewett.
- Lauren Sanchez was previously married to Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell. The couple, who divorced in 2019, have two children together.
This Venetian wedding will be remembered not just for its luxury and celebrity guest list, but also for the debate it sparked about wealth, tradition, and the future of one of the world’s most beloved cities.
