Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez have arrived in Venice ahead of their wedding. Their wedding venue was changed and moved to an isolated, less accessible part of the city due to security concerns and to prevent the risk of protests. The wedding bash has become a lightning rod for overtourism protesters, with 'No Space for Bezos' popping up on street corners and even a banner across the legendary Rialto Bridge. The protesters have celebrated the relocation as a "victory".
The billionaire tech-tycoon and his fiancee had earmarked a location in Cannaregio to celebrate after their marriage, a popular and central nightlife area, but fears of demonstrations led to a change of plan, as per reports. The wedding party has now been moved to hall of the Arsenale, a vast 14th-century complex in the eastern Castello district.
Bezos and Sanchez announced their engagement in 2023.
Sanchez has two children, Evan and Ella, with her former husband, Patrick Whitesell, a Hollywood super agent. She also has a son, Nikko, with former NFL star Tony Gonzalez.
Bezos has four children with his ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott: a son, Preston, born in 2000, as well as two sons and one adopted daughter whose ages and names are not public.
Here are the Latest Updates:
Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez In Venice For Lavish Wedding
Amazon's billionaire founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez arrived in Venice on Wednesday ahead of their wedding, an event that has sparked protests in the Italian city.
Bezos, the world's fourth-richest person, and his former television anchor bride-to-be were seen stepping off a water taxi at the Aman Hotel on the Grand Canal.
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding: 90 Private Jets Set To Land In Local Airports This Week
Around 90 private jets are set to land in local airports this week, bringing A-listers from showbusiness, politics and finance to the widely-dubbed "wedding of the century" that will cost Bezos an estimated 40-48 million euros ($46-$56 million).
Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez Head To Venice For Wedding
eff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez are expected arrive in Venice on Wednesday, as per reports, for three days of lavish VIP parties to celebrate their wedding in the romantic lagoon city despite protests from locals.
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding: Finest Hotels For Star-Studded Guest List
Bezos, 61, and former news anchor and entertainment reporter Sanchez, 55, are said to have booked out the city's finest hotels for a star-studded guest list rumoured to include Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom and Ivanka Trump.
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding Galvanizes Activist Groups
The weekend's star-studded Venice wedding has galvanized activist groups that are protesting it as a sign of the growing disparity between the haves and have-nots as well as disregard of the city's residents.
About a dozen Venetian organisations - including housing advocates, anti-cruise ship campaigners and university groups - have united to protest the multi-day event under the banner "No Space for Bezos", a play on words also referring to the bride's recent space flight.
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding: The Hall Of Arsenale
The hall of Arsenale, surrounded by water and impossible to reach by land when connecting bridges are raised, is considered a safer venue than Cannaregio's Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a medieval former religious school.
Originally a giant shipyard serving the Venetian Republic's maritime empire, the Arsenale has been restored and converted into an exhibition space for the Venice Biennale art fair.
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding: Wedding Party Moved To Hall Of The Arsenale
The wedding party has now been moved to hall of the Arsenale, a vast 14th-century complex in the eastern Castello district.
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding: 200-250 VIP Guests
Around 200-250 VIP guests from show business, politics and finance are expected to attend the wedding.
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding: Wedding Ceremony Likely Between Thursday-Saturday
After the wedding ceremony, whose location and exact date remain secret, although it is expected to be between Thursday and Saturday.
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding: Ivanka Trump In Venice
US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka was seen departing in a boat from Venice Marco Polo Airport on Tuesday ahead of this week's wedding between American tech billionaire Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez.
