Jeff Bezos’ Lavish Wedding Sparks Outrage and Admiration in Equal Measure

Jeff Bezos’ Lavish Wedding Sparks Outrage and Admiration in Equal Measure

Billionaires are usually known for their calculated spending — but Amazon founder Jeff Bezos seems happy to splash the cash for love. After a historic $38 billion divorce from MacKenzie Scott, you'd think he’d be cautious. Yet, Bezos is proving that he's still a romantic at heart, preparing to marry American journalist Lauren Sanchez in a style only the ultra-rich can afford.

Earlier this year, Bezos even launched Sanchez into space — literally — as a grand gesture of affection. Now, as the couple plans their extravagant wedding, headlines are flying almost as fast as those Blue Origin rockets.

Originally, the ceremony was scheduled to take place in Venice, in the stunning 16th-century Scuola Grande della Misericordia. But not everyone was celebrating. Protesters, including the “No Space for Bezos” group, threatened to clog the canals with inflatable crocodiles in protest of the billionaire’s plans. The pressure worked — Bezos relocated the wedding to a more private (and presumably protest-free) venue.

“This is a big victory for us,” activist Tommaso Cacciari said. Indeed, not many can say they've caused the world’s third-richest man to change his plans.

Yet, the extravagance continues. Reports suggest the event could cost Bezos up to $25 million, including $5 million on the engagement ring alone. His $500 million yacht is docked nearby, and over 90 private jets are expected to fly in for the celebrations. It’s also said that the three-day event will include fine dining, luxury parties, and even a themed pyjama night.

Not everyone is impressed. Senator Bernie Sanders took to X (formerly Twitter), calling out Bezos for spending lavishly while many Americans struggle to get by. “This is oligarchy. This is obscene,” he wrote. “While 60% live paycheck to paycheck and kids go hungry, Jeff Bezos, worth $230 billion, goes to Venice for a $20 million wedding.”

With five-star hotels fully booked and streets crowded with media and billionaires, tourists in Venice might find themselves unintentionally caught up in the world’s most elite wedding celebration — or at least hoping to fish a stray $100 bill out of a fountain.