Jeff Bezos' superyacht: What to know about the lavish 'Koru'
Wedding bells are ringing for billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who is getting ready to walk down the aisle with his fiancée of several years, Lauren Sánchez in a star-studded, lavish ceremony in Italy, details of which are being kept under wraps.
The two, who went public with their relationship in 2019 and got engaged in 2023, will tie the knot in Venice, Italy, the city previously confirmed. The wedding comes about six years after the tech mogul, 61, and former television journalist, 55, founder began dating and their nuptials are shaping up to be the event of the year, despite ongoing protests against it by locals.
The billionaire founder was photographed June 25 arriving at Venice's historic Aman Hotel in a water taxi with Sánchez.
In the lead up to the wedding, Bezos and his luxurious possessions are back in the spotlight. Here's what to know about his superyacht, Koru.
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How big is Koru?
Koru is the largest sailing yacht in the world, according to Netherlands-based custom yacht builder Oceanco, which built the vessel.
The three-masted schooner is estimated to be 417 feet long and includes a midnight blue hull, several decks, three jacuzzis and a pool atop the deck, per Oceanco and Yacht World. The masts are about 230 feet high, Yacht World reported, making them almost the same height as the Great Pyramid of Giza.
In 2022, the yacht became embroiled in controversy after news emerged that part of Rotterdam's historic Koningshaven Bridge, locally known as De Hef, could be dismantled to transport the boat from Oceanco's inland dock in Alblasserdam to the North Sea, according to prior media reports. While city officials initially planned to take apart the bridge to allow the tall masts of the boat to pass through, public backlash prompted them to walk back on their decision, the New York Times reported at the time. Oceanco later transported the masts separately and the finished product was delivered to Mallorca in 2023, German media outlet Spiegel and Boat International reported.
What does 'Koru' mean?
Koru is Māori for loop or coil and is symbolized by a spiral shape. The word references new beginnings and the start of a new chapter, focused on change and personal growth.
The yacht's support vessel, meanwhile, is named Abeona after the Roman goddess of journeys, Architectural Digest reported.
Koru features
The superyacht's exterior was designed by Dutch company Dykstra Naval Architecture, while the interior was handled by interior design firm Mlinaric Henry & Zervudachi, Oceanco said.
Oceanco describes the interior as 'timeless, contemporary style, with natural wood tones complemented by a palette of warm neutrals and beautifully patterned textiles.'
Lauren Sánchez shot down speculation about Koru's figurehead
It has been suggested that the figurehead adorning Koru looks like Bezos' wife-to-be, Sánchez. However, Sánchez shut down the rumors in a November 2023 interview with Vogue, telling the media outlet that the figurehead, an ornamental symbol located on the bow of a ship, is one of Bezos's favorite mythological figures, Freyja, Norse goddess of love, fertility, war, and gold.
'I'm very flattered, but it's not,' Sánchez remarked to Vogue.
In pictures: Koru
Bezos proposed to Lauren on Koru
Bezos popped the question to Sánchez on Koru during a trip to the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023, when he hid a box containing a pink diamond engagement ring under her pillow, Sánchez shared with Vogue.
"When he opened the box, I think I blacked out a bit," she told the outlet.
Who was Jeff Bezos' first wife? All about philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
When is Jeff Bezos' wedding to Lauren Sánchez?
Bezos and Sánchez have been rather tight-lipped about their upcoming nuptials, and the exact date of their wedding has not been revealed. Reuters and The New York Times reported the three-day wedding is likely to occur between June 26 and 28.
About 200 guests, including some of the couple's closest celebrity friends such Oprah Winfrey, designer Diane von Furstenberg and husband Barry Diller, Mick Jagger, Salma Hayek, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Eva Longoria, and Kim Kardashian, are expected to be in attendance. Five of the city's most luxurious hotels have been booked out to host the wedding party.
Bezos and Sánchez are not the first celebrity couple to choose Italy for their destination wedding. Previously, George and Amal Clooney also wed in Venice in 2014, as did Salma Hayek and her billionaire husband François-Henri Pinault in 2009.
Contributing: Anna Kaufman, Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY; Reuters
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
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