Venice: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez have officially tied the knot in a private ceremony held on Venice's San Giorgio Island. The wedding, which has been dubbed the 'wedding of the year,' drew considerable attention and sparked protests in the historic city.
According to Anadolu Agency, the wedding of the 61-year-old billionaire and his 55-year-old partner was attended by numerous celebrities, including Ivanka Trump, Kim Kardashian, Orlando Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and Robert Pattinson. Despite the high-profile guest list, the event was closed to the media. Sanchez marked the occasion by updating her last name to 'Bezos' on Instagram, accompanied by a celebratory photo.
Guests at the wedding were encouraged to make donations to support Venice rather than bring traditional wedding gifts. Reports indicate that around 90 private jets arrived at Venice Marco Polo Airport for the event, highlighting the global interest in the couple's nuptials. Lady Gaga is also expected to perform a special concert for the couple.
The decision to hold the wedding in Venice was not without controversy. Protests erupted in the city weeks before the event, with demonstrators opposing the presence of Bezos and other affluent individuals. Signs reading "Bezos' wedding in Venice? No" and "No place for Bezos and oligarchs" were displayed, with a protest movement called No Place for Bezos making its stance clear with a banner on the Rialto Bridge.
Greenpeace Italia, alongside the British group Everyone Hates Elon, displayed a 400-square-meter banner in St. Mark's Square on June 23. The banner featured an image of Bezos with the message, "If you can afford to rent Venice for your wedding, you can afford to pay more taxes." Police eventually removed the sign. Additional protests unfolded on June 26, with participants expressing opposition to the billionaire and advocating for peace in the Gaza Strip.
Despite the protests, the wedding has received support from some local officials. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro expressed satisfaction with the choice of Venice for the wedding, while Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche emphasized the positive impact on tourism. Santanche highlighted that the event increased Italy's global visibility, promoted the region, and attracted new tourist flows.