Bezos and Sanchez Tie the Knot in Lavish Venice Ceremony
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez celebrated their wedding in Venice, Italy, marking the culmination of a week of opulent festivities. The high-profile event has sparked discussions regarding its impact on the city’s image and resources.
A Venetian Celebration
The couple, Jeff Bezos, 61, and Lauren Sanchez, 55, exchanged vows on San Giorgio Maggiore island, with the ceremony reportedly commencing with a song performed by Matteo Bocelli. Chef Fabrizio Mellino curated the wedding dinner, and the cake was created by pastry chef Cédric Grolet.
Sanchez shared a photo of herself in a wedding dress alongside Bezos on Instagram, although the pair had already been married in the United States.
Glitz and Glamour in the Canals
The wedding, which took place on Friday, followed a week of celebrations. The festivities, featuring yachts and prominent guests, will conclude with a grand ball on Saturday, with Lady Gaga scheduled to perform. Attendees seen on the city’s canals by photographers included Ivanka Trump, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Oprah Winfrey.
When asked about Venice, Bezos enthused, “Look around! This city seems impossible […] And yet, she is there,” according to a video published by La Repubblica.
Controversy and Concerns
Bezos, who holds around $215 billion in Amazon shares, will donate 3 million euros to a lagoon protection association, Venice International University, and UNESCO. The Ministry of Tourism projected about 895 million euros in “media visibility” benefits for Venice, but cautioned this needed verification.
The event has spurred debate among locals. According to a 2023 study, Venice receives roughly 100,000 tourists during peak season, and many residents are increasingly concerned about overtourism (Statista).
Local Perspectives
Samuel Silvestri, a 55-year-old Venetian trader, stated that the main cause of “surcourism” is “people who come only one day with their backpack and their food and who contribute very little to the city.”
Authorities Respond
A collective of inhabitants, “No Space For Bezos,” organized demonstrations, opposing the wedding with the slogan “Venice is not for sale.” The prefect of Venice, Darco Pellos, stated that the event did not require additional police presence compared to a typical summer season.
Alice Bazzoli, a 24-year-old activist from “No Space for Bezos,” denounced the event, saying, “This marriage causes problems in the city, with increasingly strict channel closures and controls.”
The marriage of George Clooney eleven years earlier did not cause such controversy. However, Clooney is not one of the wealthiest people on earth and did not start the world’s largest e-commerce site, often under the scrutiny of environmental groups.
