Bezos Ties the Knot Again, Venice Residents Protest

Former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is set to exchange vows with his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, in a highly anticipated wedding ceremony next week. As the date draws near, details surrounding the nuptials are beginning to surface, promising a lavish celebration with high-profile attendees.

This union marks a significant chapter for Bezos, who, after divorcing his former wife in 2019, publicly began dating Sanchez. His proposal, which took place in May 2023 on his superyacht, “Koru,” further solidified their commitment.

Since stepping down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021, Bezos has primarily been focused on his space exploration company, Blue Origin, and, increasingly, his relationship with Sanchez. This “second spring” for the soon-to-be sexagenarian has also drawn attention to Bezos’s impressive physical transformation, showcasing his commitment to personal wellness.

**What to Expect from the Wedding**

Given Bezos’s estimated net worth exceeding $200 billion, expectations are high for a spectacular wedding. While some may anticipate a celebration on par with the lavish events hosted by the Ambani family, recent reports suggest a more understated approach for this particular wedding.

The ceremony is planned to take place in the enchanting city of Venice, Italy. The couple has reportedly enlisted the services of Lanza & Baucina, the London-based event planners who orchestrated George Clooney’s 2014 wedding. The venue is rumored to be a private island in Venice.

Approximately 200 guests are expected to attend, including a constellation of celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé. Ivanka Trump, along with her husband Jared Kushner, are also anticipated to be present. Other attendees could well include familiar faces from their engagement party, such as Kim Kardashian and Bill Gates.

Venice’s Mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, has publicly stated that the wedding is expected to provide a “multi-million euro” economic boost to the city. He has also emphasized that the guest list of 200 will not cause any major disruption to the city’s residents or tourists.

While the exact location of the ceremony has been kept under wraps, sources indicate that the wedding organizers have secured the entire island of San Giorgio Maggiore, which faces St. Mark’s Square. Alternatively, Bezos could opt to host the ceremony aboard his $500 million superyacht, “Koru,” for a more intimate setting.

**Why Local Residents are Protesting**

Amidst the excitement surrounding the wedding, banners opposing Bezos have been displayed throughout Venice, highlighting a degree of local discontent.

The protests reflect a broader trend of resistance to overtourism that has been gaining momentum in some of Europe’s most popular destinations. Venice, with its iconic canals and rich history, welcomes millions of tourists each year, straining its infrastructure and resources. Cities such as Barcelona, Mallorca, and Lisbon have also experienced similar protests in recent years.

Despite the implementation of measures to control tourism, such as the introduction of a €5 “tourist tax” for day-trippers starting in April, the impact has been limited.

Official data indicates that there are 51,100 tourist beds in Venice’s historic center, exceeding the local population of 48,166. As the number of residents dwindles, essential services like hardware stores and local grocers are being replaced by generic bars and souvenir shops.

Bezos’s wedding has, therefore, become a focal point for the expression of local frustration.

The protest movement, operating under the slogan “No Place for Bezos,” aims to voice their disapproval by blocking canals leading to the presumed wedding venue using boats and balloons.

Mayor Brugnaro has denounced the planned disruption, asserting that the city, which has hosted prestigious events such as the Venice Film Festival and the G7 summit, is capable of hosting the wedding. He has even called the behavior of the protesters “shameful.”