The much-anticipated wedding of Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos, 61, and former journalist Lauren Sánchez, 55, is set to take place in Venice, Italy. The extravagant celebration is expected to cost over 81.2 billion Rwandan Francs (approximately $65 million) and will bring together more than 200 high-profile guests from around the world.
Among the A-list attendees are reality stars Kim Kardashian, her sister Khloé Kardashian, and their mother Kris Jenner. Other confirmed celebrity guests include media mogul Oprah Winfrey, Ivanka Trump with her husband Jared Kushner and their children, and NFL legend Tom Brady. Tech billionaire Bill Gates, along with Kendall and Kylie Jenner, are also expected to make an appearance.
This will be Jeff Bezos’ second marriage. He was previously married to MacKenzie Scott for over two decades before their divorce in 2019. The couple met in 1993. Bezos began dating Lauren Sánchez in 2023, and they are now ready to formalize their relationship with a grand ceremony.
Although the exact wedding date and guest list were initially kept private, details began to surface after photos emerged of Bezos and Sánchez in Venice. The City of Venice officially confirmed the event through a press statement released earlier this week. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro stated, “From the beginning, we have been collaborating with the organizers to ensure that the celebration is respectful and enjoyable for everyone in our city. We want this to be a dignified and seamless event.”
The wedding festivities are reportedly scheduled to take place between June 26 and June 28, 2025, and could be hosted at the historic Arsenale – a large, colonial-era shipyard. According to Reuters, this iconic venue is under serious consideration.
However, the wedding has not been without controversy. Some Venice locals have voiced their discontent, accusing Bezos of attempting to “privatize” the city for personal pleasure. Activist groups have already warned of protests and possible disruptions.
Despite the backlash, city officials remain optimistic. Simone Venturini, Venice’s Tourism Councillor, revealed that the event could generate over 50.7 billion Rwandan Francs (approx. $40 million) in local revenue, citing the economic benefits and global media attention.Venice is no stranger to star-studded weddings. The city previously hosted the nuptials of François-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek in 2009, George and Amal Clooney in 2014, and Alexandre Arnault with Géraldine Guyot in 2021.
