Jeff Bezos, the Amazon magnate, and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez are set to marry in what many are considering the priciest wedding event of the year. The ceremony is expected to be hosted in Venice this weekend, surrounded by secrecy yet marked by extravagance. As the world anticipates this high-profile union, let’s dive into the numbers narrating their story.
### Wealth Beyond Imagination
With a staggering net worth of $228 billion, Bezos ranks as the world’s third-richest individual, trailing behind tech giants Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. This fortune began in 1994 when Bezos founded Amazon in his Seattle garage, starting as a modest online bookstore. Since then, Amazon has evolved into a global retail behemoth, branching into film production, grocery stores, and leading in voice-activated technology. Although Bezos stepped down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021, his influence persists as he maintains the role of executive chair and remains the largest shareholder, though his shares have decreased to below 10%. Bezos has redirected some of his focus towards other ventures, including The Washington Post and the rocket company Blue Origin.
### Second-time Nuptials
For both Bezos, aged 61, and Sanchez, aged 55, this marks their second marriage. Their previous unions concluded in 2019, marking one of the most costly divorces in history, second only to that of Bill and Melinda Gates. As part of their settlement, MacKenzie Scott, formerly MacKenzie Bezos, amassed 25% of Bezos’s Amazon shares, amounting her personal wealth to an impressive $30 billion.
### A Grand Venetian Stay
The impending nuptials will be celebrated in true opulence. The couple is said to be lodged at the prestigious Aman Venice hotel, where the cost for a room begins at €2,456 ($2,850). In a city renowned for its grandeur, the hotel stands as a monument to luxury, adorned with artworks of Italy’s master artists like architect Sansovino and painter Tiepolo. It’s probable that Bezos is residing in one of the hotel’s lavish suites, perhaps the Grand Canal Suite or the larger Alcova Tiepolo Suite, which offer expansive spaces and the splendor of 18th-century frescoes.
### Venice’s Complex Embrace
Venice’s historic center houses approximately 48,283 residents, spread over 100 islands connected through bridges and waterways. Not all Venetians are welcoming Bezos and Sanchez’s wedding party, which is rumored to include celebrities like Mick Jagger and Katy Perry among others. Dissent is palpable, with local organizations, including housing advocates and anti-cruise ship activists, mobilizing around the slogan “No Space for Bezos,” highlighting the growing unease about the cultural impacts of large-scale tourism.
Venice’s allure is under siege by mass tourism, some residents argue, with the influx of travelers making life in the city expensive and challenging, a sentiment amplified during summers when giant cruise ships bring an overwhelming number of visitors.
### A Sky-High Gathering
The event is set to be of substantial economic benefit, as posited by Veneto Governor Luca Zaia. With 90 private jets expected to touch down for the wedding, the celebration is anticipated to inject around $50 million into the local economy. Zaia asserts that the media buzz generated by the celebrity-studded affair will provide Venice with promotional exposure equivalent to more than five Super Bowls. It remains to be seen how the city’s timeless beauty will balance the influx of glitz and commercial opportunity.