Jeff Bezos’ wedding brings spotlight, tourism to Venice
Some Venetians are welcoming the uptick in business that comes with Jeff Bezos’ wedding. Others worry it’s turning their city into a spectacle.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez were spotted for the first time during their wedding week in Venice, Italy.
On Wednesday, June 25, photographers captured the billionaire Amazon founder and his journalist fiancé arriving by taxi-boat ahead of their controversial Venetian wedding ceremony.
In March, the Italian city confirmed that Bezos and Sánchez, who went public with their relationship in 2019 and got engaged in 2023, are set to tie the knot there. Reuters and The New York Times report the three-day wedding will likely occur between June 26 and 28.
Bezos’ multi-million-dollar affair has drawn ire online and in-person, as protests erupt in the region calling for the Blue Origin owner to pay more in taxes, amid global frustrations about class and wealth divides.
Regional governor Luca Zaia estimates the festivities to cost $23-$34 million.
After the ceremony − for which the exact location is currently unknown due to the hushed nature of the nuptials − the newlyweds and their guests will head to a hall of the Arsenale, a renovated maritime area on the outer edge of Venice.
The vast 14th-century complex in the eastern Castello district, known for hosting the Venice Biennale art fair, is surrounded by water and impossible to reach by land when connecting bridges are raised.
The couple’s star-studded guest list has already begun arriving for the fete. President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner were spotted arriving June 24.
Other possible attendees include husband and wife duo actor Orlando Bloom and singer Katy Perry; media personalities Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner and Khloe Kardashian; TV icon Oprah Winfrey and “CBS Mornings” co-anchor Gayle King; and actress Eva Longoria.
Sánchez’s ex and NFL legend Tony Gonzalez — considered one of the greatest tight ends in history — and his wife October “Tobie” Gonzalez, are also expected to attend.
Contributing: Charles Trepany, Saman Shafiq