Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and media personality Lauren Sanchez were officially married on Friday in an elaborate private ceremony held on the Italian island of San Giorgio Maggiore, opposite Venice’s historic St Mark’s Square.
The three-day celebration drew a host of high-profile guests, including Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Bill Gates, and former NFL star Tom Brady. Italian singer Matteo Bocelli, son of renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, performed during the ceremony.
The wedding culminated in a final event at the Arsenale, a former medieval shipyard now used for major cultural events, where guests enjoyed live music, fine dining, and views of the Venetian lagoon.
Sanchez reportedly wore a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown that was 18 months in the making. The dress, made of lace with a corseted high neck and veil, was described by fashion magazine Vogue as a tribute to 1950s Italian cinema.
The couple’s marriage comes nearly a year after their engagement in 2023, and four years after Bezos’ divorce from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
However, the high-profile affair drew criticism from local residents and activists.
On Saturday, about 1,000 people marched through Venice to protest the wedding, accusing the city of prioritising luxury tourism and private events over the needs of its residents.
Organisers said the event reflected a growing trend of Venice becoming inaccessible to ordinary people.
Despite the backlash, Italian officials defended the wedding.
Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè described the event as a significant boost for Italy’s image and economy, with some local media estimating that it could generate up to $1.1 billion (approximately Sh129 billion) in tourism-related revenue.