Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Wed in Star-Studded Venetian Ceremony
By Nia Kwame - Celebrity Gossip - June 28 2025
WafricNews – June 28, 2025
Venice, Italy – In a dazzling union of wealth, love, and influence, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Emmy-winning journalist and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez officially tied the knot in Venice, Italy, on Friday, June 27, in a celebration that blended old-world charm with global celebrity appeal.
The wedding, held on the historic island of San Giorgio Maggiore, brought together over 200 high-profile guests, including Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, Usher, and Tom Brady, among others. Fashion and royalty were also represented, with guests such as Queen Rania of Jordan, Bill Gates, and designers Domenico Dolce and Diane von Fürstenberg in attendance.
Venice as a Symbol of Legacy and Culture
More than a celebration of personal love, the event underscored Bezos and Sánchez’s desire to leave a cultural mark. In a rare move for celebrity weddings, the couple urged guests to donate to Venice-based charities instead of giving wedding gifts, supporting institutions such as UNESCO Venice Office, CORILA, and Venice International University.
“This magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories,” the couple wrote in their invitation. “Our hope is that through these efforts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come.”
To further support local artisans and vendors, the couple sourced nearly 80% of the event’s provisions from within the city, including pastries from Rosa Salva and glassware by design studio Laguna B, according to Italian media.
Music, Fashion, and Last-Minute Changes
The intimate wedding ceremony opened with Matteo Bocelli, son of legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli, performing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley—an emotional moment that drew cheers from the crowd.
The bride was seen arriving in a vintage-style white suit with a silk headscarf, while Bezos wore a classic tuxedo paired with aviator sunglasses. The couple had originally planned to wed at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, but reportedly relocated to San Giorgio Maggiore due to security concerns linked to small protests.
Pre-wedding festivities included a lavish welcome party in a Venetian cloister where guests dined on Neapolitan pizza, fried zucchini flowers, arancini, and traditional pastries.
Bezos, 61, and Sánchez, 55, went public with their relationship in January 2019, shortly after Bezos announced his divorce from MacKenzie Scott. Sánchez, too, was finalizing her separation from talent agent Patrick Whitesell.
The two reportedly met through professional collaboration, gradually building a romantic relationship. They confirmed their engagement in May 2023, while vacationing in the South of France. Sánchez was photographed aboard Bezos’ $500 million yacht, Koru, sporting a large diamond engagement ring.
In interviews, Sánchez has described Bezos as “goofy” and “hilarious,” noting that the couple works and lives closely together. For his 60th birthday, she posted a tribute praising his warmth and presence in their shared home.
The couple’s union also formally blends their families. Bezos shares four children with his ex-wife, while Sánchez has three children from previous relationships.
While the glamour of the ceremony captured global attention, it is the couple’s philanthropic gesture toward Venice that stood out—a rare show of social responsibility amid extravagance.
“We are definitely happy to have this funding for the protection of our very delicate city,” said Sebastiano Costalonga, a Venice city official.
WafricNews continues to follow the intersection of global influence, cultural heritage, and philanthropy. In a time when wealth is often displayed without reflection, Bezos and Sánchez's wedding offers an example—however modest—of how high society can give back, even as they celebrate.
For more stories on culture, celebrity, and philanthropy from around the globe, stay with WafricNews.
Comment
To post a comment, you have to login first
LoginNo Comments Yet...