• Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are tying the knot in Venice in a $20 million wedding. The event is drawing global attention and celebrity guests.
• Speculation surrounds whether Bezos has signed a prenup, especially after giving ex-wife MacKenzie Scott $35 billion in their 2019 divorce.
• Experts stress prenups are essential for billionaires. They often include clauses on wealth, lifestyle, and fidelity to protect assets and avoid legal battles.

In the heart of Venice, where ancient canals and palatial hotels meet 21st-century wealth, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are preparing to say “I do.” Many are calling it the most extravagant wedding of the decade. However, behind the glamour, a burning question looms: will Bezos, the world’s second-richest man, protect his vast fortune with a prenuptial agreement this time around?

A Billionaire’s Second Shot at Love

At 61, Bezos is no stranger to the complexities of marriage and divorce. His split from philanthropist and novelist MacKenzie Scott in 2019 was one of the most high-profile divorces in history. It was also one of the costliest. After 25 years together and no prenup in place, Scott walked away with roughly $35 billion, a quarter of their shared Amazon holdings. That eye-watering sum instantly made her one of the richest women in the world. It also left Bezos with a hard-earned lesson.

Now, four years after finalizing that record-breaking divorce, Bezos is poised to marry 55-year-old former TV host and helicopter pilot Lauren Sanchez. The couple, who got engaged in 2023, have been inseparable ever since their relationship became public. Recently, they were spotted arriving in Venice ahead of their wedding. They stepped off a boat at the luxury Aman Hotel, hand in hand, with about 50 guests.

Their celebrations kicked off with a romantic cocktail reception. Songs like Lovely Day, More Than a Woman, and Brown Eyed Girl set the mood. The festivities will span three days and are said to cost over $20 million. Around 90 private jets are expected to bring in A-list guests from Hollywood, Wall Street, and Capitol Hill.

No Prenup Confirmed – Yet

While fans and the public gawk at the wedding’s extravagance, legal and financial experts are focused on something far less glamorous: the potential prenup. So far, there’s been no official word on whether Bezos and Sanchez have signed one. Considering his estimated net worth exceeds \$200 billion, many assume—and hope—he has.

Legal professionals certainly believe it would be wise. “When you’re dealing with wealth in the billions, a prenup isn’t just recommended—it’s essential,” said New York divorce attorney Robert Cohen. He has represented many ultra-high-net-worth clients, though he hasn’t worked with Bezos directly. Cohen emphasized that for someone with Bezos’ assets and global footprint, protections must be air-tight. They should be carefully reviewed across jurisdictions.

The Modern Prenup: More Than Just Money

For the ultra-wealthy, prenups have evolved far beyond the basic division of property and income. These agreements now outline everything from who keeps access to the private jet, to who gets to post what on social media post-divorce. Some even go as far as requiring a spouse to maintain a certain appearance—or risk financial penalties.

“We once had a client who wrote in a \$1 million fine for every affair,” Cohen said. Another prominent attorney, Randall Kessler, noted such infidelity clauses are increasingly popular among NBA players and celebrities. Their public image often plays a significant role in their careers.

And while some might see this level of control as cold or calculating, divorce attorney Nancy Chemtob sees it differently: “It’s a power play. Having that control, that assurance—it gives them confidence going into the marriage.”

These legal documents often come with “sunset clauses” as well. In elite circles, that might mean a prenup expires after a decade. Or it could gradually increase the payout the longer the marriage lasts. For example, one agreement might promise \$5 million after five years, and \$20 million after ten. It’s a compromise between protection and fairness, especially in marriages where one partner leaves behind a career or lifestyle to join their spouse’s world.

The Real Power Lies in Leverage

In high-stakes prenups, who holds the power often depends on who is most willing to walk away. “The person who cares less about the marriage always has more leverage,” Kessler noted. That cold truth doesn’t just apply to billionaires—it’s a reality in many relationships. However, the stakes for Bezos are astronomically higher.

Still, attorneys say most of their clients, even the most powerful, don’t aim to be stingy. “They usually want to give enough to avoid a messy fight later,” said Cohen. In a world of yachts, penthouses, and exotic pets, avoiding drama is its own kind of luxury.

Public Opinion: Curious, Critical, and Captivated

Online, reactions to the Bezos-Sanchez wedding have ranged from awe to skepticism. “Hope she signed that prenup in blood,” one user wrote under a viral wedding post. Others joked about Sanchez’s “private jet upgrade” and the “billionaire bridal package” she’s landed.

But there’s also sympathy for Bezos, whose previous divorce played out in public and whose wealth makes any relationship complicated. “He’s been burned before. I hope he learned,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).

Still, some question whether love and legal contracts should mix so bluntly. “If you need a 50-page prenup, are you marrying a partner or hiring a business associate?” one skeptical user asked.

A Fairytale With Fine Print

Whether or not a prenup was signed, one thing is certain: this wedding is a spectacle. With Venice’s canals as the backdrop and soaring string music in the air, an elite guest list arrives by private jet. Bezos and Sanchez are going all in.

Ironically, the venue where they’re hosting part of their wedding—a historic palace—is currently wrapped in scaffolding. This is a symbolic nod perhaps to the need for structure even amidst celebration.

Jeff Bezos has already lived through one of the world’s most expensive divorces. With his second marriage days away, many hope he’s taken the necessary steps to protect his legacy—and his fortune. Love may be in the air, but so are caution, contracts, and questions.