EXCLUSIVE Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are ALREADY married: As bride appears in terrifyingly tight corset for star-studded Venice wedding party, insiders tell ALISON BOSHOFF the couple tied the knot a month ago
A source closely connected to the organisation of the week's events said: 'They have been married for at least a month, more than a month.
'The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law.'
The source adds: 'When they were planning the wedding, they were clear about the fact that they were already secretly married.
'There is no application for a wedding licence from the couple because it was not required.
'Whatever happens at the wedding on Friday, it will not be a wedding. Under Italian law, it will not be a wedding celebration, any vows said or rings exchanged will have no legal meaning.'
The source added that Bezos had personally confirmed that he and Sanchez – who met when both were married to other people – are already legally married, and that they had also signed a pre-nuptial agreement to protect his $244 billion (£177 billion) fortune.
But Venice will still see a party unlike any other. Amid local protests, celebrities, politicians and business titans have gathered in the city known, ironically given the disruption, as La Serenissima, the Most Serene Republic of Venice.
As the eyes of the world focused on the event, staff at the privately owned Madonna dell Orto cloisters - where the couple held their 'eve of' reception tonight with finger food and pizza - erected tents to stop overflying drones from picturing the guests. Policemen on jetskis meanwhile patrolled the entrance to the nearest canal.
It's thought that the event included speeches from the bride to the groom and vice versa.
The two three star hotels neighbouring the cloister were booked up to house the 150 staff who are working on the wedding. The guests are staying rather more comfortably at the five star Aman, The Gritti Palace and the Cipriani.
Some of the world's most eligible bachelors are in Venice for the wedding – Orlando Bloom, freshly split from fiancée Katy Perry; divorced sporting superstar Tom Brady, and divorced talent agent and billionaire music executive Scooter Braun.
Former US President Barack Obama was among guests – he and Bezos have been on warm terms for years, and Bezos donated $100 million (£72 million) to the Obama Foundation in 2021.
By her side was Khloe Kardashian, who exuded glamour in a skintight leopard print catsuit that showcased her famous curves
Khloe strutted along the walkway like a supermodel while clutching onto a Stanley Cup and a large pink Louis Vuitton holdall
The event has attracted a near-quorum of Kardashians. Matriarch Kris Jenner is close friends with Lauren Sanchez, while daughters Kim and Khloe were also in attendance. Kylie Jenner, her daughter by Olympic athlete Caitlin, arrived at the Gritti Palace hotel on Thursday afternoon. Make up tycoon Kylie doesn't travel light: her 25 pieces of monogrammed luggage were on a water taxi following behind her.
Others attending include former chat show host Oprah Winfrey and her best friend, TV presenter and author Gayle King, who went on the much-mocked space 'flight' on Bezos Blue Origin rocket last month with Sanchez and an all-female team.
Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka is attending along with husband Jared Kushner, but the President himself – reportedly invited – will not come to Venice.
Both Bezos and Sanchez were there for Trump's inauguration earlier this year and Bezos attracted much criticism when his Washington Post newspaper declined to endorse Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the US election last year.
Queen Rania of Jordan has also been seen, as have fashion duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
The build-up has not gone smoothly, however. Plans were ripped up and remade over the past week as the bride and groom reeled from public hostility to their descent on Venice, and responded to global political turbulence following US airstrikes in Iran.
They have now left their $500 million (£363 million) yacht, the Koru, off the coast of Croatia, although it was initially intended to be moored in Venice.
The venues for the various celebrations have changed, too, with plans for Saturday's party now moved to Arsenale, the shipbuilding yards, which are easier to make secure. It is thought that singer-songwriter Usher, who also arrived today, may be performing. Reports that Sir Elton John and Lady Gaga will sing have been denied by representatives for both.
Protests by disgruntled locals continue, and are planned tonight and throughout the wedding. Sources says that Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has assured the couple that he can guarantee their safety in the middle of the city, however – hence tonight's event at the Madonna dell Orto in the heart of Venice.
Kim was joined by her mother Kris Jenner on the outing, who was also dressed in black, showcasing her figure in a low-cut dress
'The feeling was that the protests started to die down on Monday, so this was possible,' said one.
Forty people were held by police after Extinction Rebellion held a small protest in St Mark's Square on Thursday morning.
On Thursday lunchtime, the couple and a few of their guests enjoyed a private lunch in the gardens of the Villa Baslini on the tiny island of San Giovanni Evangelista.
The island offers perfect privacy and the couple were able to totally evade the army of paparazzo who have descended on Venice.
Meanwhile preparations also continued at the Arsenale – in warehouse 91 to be specific - which was the last-minute switch of venue for Saturday night's grand ball, from Scuola della Misericordia, after protesters said they would dive into the bordering canal.
One staff member said: 'I can tell you that [warehouse 91 is] a beautiful location. All the tables have a wonderful flower display, and they are putting up large chandeliers in the ceiling – it's going to have a Venetian masked ball theme is what I have heard but we've been told no photos, and we have to leave our phones with security.'
The main event will be on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, run by the Cini Foundation, on Friday. Bezos and Sanchez are due to say their vows in the restored amphitheatre on the island while Matteo Bocelli, the son of tenor Andrea, sings.
A budget of 1,000 Euros a head has been set for the wedding breakfast and according to local reports it will include the local Venetian delicacy of cuttlefish stew.
Gayle King was spotted making her arrival with Oprah, looking chic in mint green combat trousers
The celebrations began on Wednesday evening with a drinks reception in the ballroom of the stunning 16th century Aman hotel, in one of Venice's most venerable palazzos, which overlooks the Grand Canal.
Then the wedding guests including Bezos and Sanchez made their way to a private dinner party at the Palazzo Brandolini, hosted by Diane von Furstenberg.
The designer, 77, is close to the bride and groom to be, with her husband, the mogul Barry Diller, serving as a mentor and inspiration to Jeff Bezos for the past decade. Diller said in an interview that Bezos is a 'very dear, very loving friend' and has also been vocal in his admiration for Sanchez, a former local TV anchor and helicopter pilot.
The party was in Diane's Venetian home, which occupies the second floor of the spectacular 15th century palazzo, filled with mirrors, gilding and frescoes. The magazine Architectural Digest visited last year and described it as 'stupendous' – and they are not easily impressed.
Von Furstenberg and Diller live for several months of the year at the Palazzo Brandolini, and it's here that she displays her priceless series of paintings of her by Andy Warhol, dating from 1974.
Von Furstenberg and Diller are thought to have first brought Bezos and Sanchez to Venice and introduced them to the charms of that great city – hence their decision to marry here.
And their influence on Bezos and Sanchez extends further. Bezos' mega three-masted sailing yacht, the Koru, was inspired by the design of Diller's stunning – but smaller – three masted sailing yacht, Eos.
The Diller/von Furstenberg couple are deeply involved with the wedding. Cristina Brandolini, the aunt of Diane's first husband Prince Egon, lives in the Palazzo as does her grandson, Marcantonio. He is providing gift glassware for the wedding guests via his company Laguna B.
It's also thought that the family wine made by Cristina's son Brandolini will be served throughout festivities. The family is intimately connected with fashion and power, with one grandson interning with the Obama White House and another granddaughter working for both Oscar de la Renta and Dolce & Gabbana.
Yet even for those who move in such rarified circles, one way or another, the Bezos-Sanchez celebration promises to be an event of a lifetime.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Sophia Loren's son reveals how his mother saw husband Carlo Ponti - who met legendary Italian star when she was 15 while he was 37 - as a 'father figure'
Sophia Loren's son has described how her husband Carlo Ponti - who was 37 when he began an affair with the legendary 15-year-old actress in 1950 - acted as a 'father figure' for his mother. Speaking to The Times, director Edoardo Ponti, 52, spoke of the how the 22-year age gap affected the budding star, who is now 90. 'In addition to the romantic love and the attraction, he provided that sense of security, that sense of protection, which my mother was always in want of,' he explained. Sophia, who grew up not knowing real real dad that well, was brought up just outside Naples - but aged around 16, her mother Romilda relocated them to Rome and tried to track him down for financial support. He refused. But whereas Romilda decided to make her way back, Sophia decided to set up camp in the Italian capital. 'Imagine today a 16-year-old daughter telling her mother, "I'm not leaving. You go, I'll stay",' Edoardo continued. 'I mean, it's absolutely unthinkable. Every character that my mother has built on screen comes from the fabric of her trauma - there's no question. She understood that poverty for an artist is gold, because adversity, not knowing where your next meal is going to come from, all of those elements create such a wealth of inner life. '[She understood] the humility of being in the service of something, her characters, her directors. She has never been the diva. She's always a team player.' Sophia has previously recounted meeting her husband at a small town beauty pageant. And in excerpts of her memoir Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: My Life - shared in an issue of Closer Weekly, the actress had also recounted similar sentiments of feeling a paternal fondness for her late husband. 'By that time whenever I went out it was with Carlo,' she reminisced in her autobiographical book. 'True, he was married and we had to be careful, only later would our fondness turn into love.' He helped launch her career as a sought-after star when the Italian film producer casted her in some of her first starring roles in Anna and I Dream Of Zorro. Upon meeting him, Sophia knew Carlo would be someone in her life forever. 'I was content to be lucky enough to finally have someone beside me who knew how to speak to me, who could give me advice, who supported me in the parts I chose, which is crucial when an actor is just starting out,' she said. Sophia added: 'I was trying to get ahead but without taking any false steps, and knowing that Carlo was on my side was a huge help. There was something fatherly about his presence, too, and I'd never had a real father.' 'He gave me a rootedness and stability that kept me grounded, while the world around me seemed to swirl dizzyingly, excitingly.' Two years later the couple welcomed their first child Carlo Ponti, Jr and another son, Edoardo, in 1973; their eldest is an orchestra conductor while the latter is a director whose debut film Between Strangers also starred his mother During their early years of courtship, he was still married to first wife Giuliana Fiastri. But during the summer of 1954, both Sophia and Carlo knew they were destined to be. 'It was there, while making Woman Of The River, that we finally understood we'd fallen in love. Our intimacy had turned into love,' she wrote. He had proposed marriage to Sophia in 1957, prompting for a divorce from Giuliana which was forbidden in his native country at the time. However, Carlo could not deny his strong feelings for the sex symbol and married her by proxy after obtaining annulment documents in Mexico. As a result Sophia and Carlo would have wound up on the hook for concubinage and bigamy in their native country and so they annulled their marriage in 1962. The pair eventually worked out a deal with Giuliana whereby they all moved to France and obtained citizenship there. Giuliana gave Carlo a divorce under French law in 1965, and the next year he remarried Sophia whom he stayed with until his death in 2007. Two years later the couple welcomed their first child Carlo Ponti, Jr and another son, Edoardo, in 1973; their eldest is an orchestra conductor while the latter is a director whose debut film Between Strangers also starred his mother. Sophia has four grandchildren and told Closer she regularly keeps up with them, chatting daily with her family on FaceTime during lockdown. 'My approach to life is very simple,. Enjoy all the good news that my children tell me about their lives,' shared the Marriage Italian Style star. Sophia, who lives in Geneva where she gave birth to both her sons, said: 'The beauty of my grandchildren fills me with joy although they are far away in California.' A few years ago she told the New York Times that what she enjoys about life in Switzerland is that 'It's calm. When you live in a big city like Rome or like New York, there's so many things going on and the streets and the cars. Here, it's a really very peaceful place. And then, of course, it's the center of Europe.' In the Times article however, Edoardo also revealed that his brother often complained is mother 'wasn't like the others' at school drop off, despite the star wearing jeans to be as lowkey as she could. Sophia drew international acclaim for the 1960 film Two Women which was also about the ravages of World War II in her native Italy. Her performance in the Vittorio De Sica movie made her the first person ever to earn an acting Oscar in a language other than English. However she has not appeared onscreen in a feature film since Nine, Rob Marshall's 2009 movie adaptation of a Broadway musical of the same name. Nine was based on the seminal Italian movie 8 1/2 directed by Federico Fellini whom Sophia never worked with despite the two being stars at the same time. She has kept working since Nine - she dubbed a role in Italian for the 2011 Pixar movie Cars 2 and has appeared in a short film. A decade ago she also played her own mother Romilda in the Italian miniseries My House Is Full Of Mirrors, based on a book by her sister Maria Scicolone, who once spent a decade married to Benito Mussolini's jazz pianist son Romano.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
'Amazing' Sony headphones shoppers are calling 'best ever' cut by 45% to under £100
The Sony ULT WEAR headphones are now £99 on Amazon, down from £179, with deep bass, noise cancelling, and 30-hour battery life Whether commuting, working from home, or winding down with music, a good pair of headphones can transform the experience. With the right combination of sound quality, comfort, and smart features, some models stand out, especially when there's a significant discount involved. Sony's high-performance over-ear headphones have received a major discount, with many reviewers describing them as 'amazing' and even calling them the 'best ever'. The Sony ULT WEAR Over Ear Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are now available on Amazon for £99, down from their original retail price of £179, a saving of 45%. Finished in black, the headphones offer a premium listening experience packed with features including deep bass, advanced noise cancellation, and up to 30 hours of battery life. The headphones are powered by Sony's Integrated Processor V1 and 40mm driver units, designed to deliver what the company calls 'ULT POWER SOUND'. Users can adjust the bass through a dedicated button, which activates two sound modes: Deep Bass for extra low-end punch and Attack Bass for added energy. The result is a powerful, customisable sound profile particularly suited to bass lovers. Noise cancelling is handled by Sony's adaptive technology, with an ambient sound mode available for those who prefer to stay aware of their surroundings. For calls, the headphones use beam-forming microphones and precise voice pickup technology to ensure clear audio, even in noisy environments. Other features include multi-point Bluetooth pairing, support for Google Assistant and Alexa, and quick charging, with 1.5 hours of playback from just a three-minute top-up. The headphones are compatible with iOS and Android and come with a compact carry case. For those who want alternatives, Sennheiser's ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Headphones are currently £139, down from £199.99, while Soundcore's Space One model is £62.99 and offers adaptive noise cancelling and 40-hour battery life. But if it's Sony's rich bass, smart design, and strong feature set you're after, this deal on the ULT WEAR headphones is hard to ignore. With a current rating of 4.5 stars from more than 1,900 reviews, the Sony ULT WEAR has received widespread praise for its sound quality, comfort, and build. One reviewer wrote: 'Amazing headset… the bass is huge… They look and feel good and sound amazing, the best overhead earphones I've probably ever had.' Another said: 'Great sound… great battery life… another Sony winner.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Others praised the headset's premium feel, with one review stating: 'Extremely high value for money. The build quality is absolutely amazing and they come with so many features. Noise cancelling is absolutely fantastic.' However, a few users expressed concerns. One reviewer reported a crack forming on the side of the headphones after six months of regular use, suggesting they may not be the best choice for gym wear. Another wrote: 'Too much bass and not enough soundstage. Good noise cancelling and comfort, but not great for hearing background instruments.' The Sony ULT WEAR is currently available for £99 on Amazon, reduced from £179.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Women's Euro 2025 commentators and pundits: Who is hosting the final on BBC and ITV?
THE Lionesses have made their third consecutive major final after the nail-biting victory over Italy. But now everyone's attention has turned to who will be the safe pair of hands to lead us through the coverage of the hotly anticipated final. The final will kick off Sunday, July 27 July at 5pm BST and will be broadcast simultaneously on ITV and the BBC. It will be up to fans which channel they choose for the historic final. Who is hosting the final on BBC? The BBC have pulled out the stops to ensure viewers will be tuning into them, putting the final in the tried and tested hands of an all-female line-up. Gabby Logan Veteran sports presenter Gabby Logan will be leading the coverage of the final, having overseen much of the BBC's coverage on the journey to the final. 9 The future Match of the Day presenter went viral after the last tournament, when England beat Germany, with a thought-provoking speech about the power of the victory. She returns again as a trusted pair of hands to lead the coverage for what could be a tense night of football. Who are the BBC pundits? Logan will be joined by a group of Lioness legends to help provide the insight necessary for a final of this scale. Former England captain Steph Houghton and Lioness legend Ellen White will join Gabby live in the studio in Basel. Houghton is regarded as one of the best centre backs in women's football, while White's success on and off the pitch is unrivalled, in particular her involvement in the historic victory at the 2022 Euros. 9 9 Pitch side will be Alex Scott and Jill Scott, helping to provide their expert analysis on how the players are feeling. Alex Scott has become a well-known face of football coverage, regularly hosting Football Focus. Jill Scott was also involved with White at the 2022 Euro's final, and so will be able to share insights about what it feels like to be the Lionesses, considering many of them will be experiencing their first major final. Who is hosting the final on ITV? The women's Euro final will be broadcast for the first time on ITV, after the BBC had the full broadcasting rights in 2022. ITV's coverage of the dramatic last-four clash has returned the broadcaster's biggest ratings of 2025 so far. 9 A peak of 10.2 million viewers watched across all devices, which is the biggest peak audience of the year across ITV1 and ITVX, while the match also helped make Tuesday the biggest day of the year for ITVX with 17.2m streams. As a result, the broadcast has held nothing back with their presenting line-up as they go up against the Beeb. Laura Woods Regular viewers of football on ITV will be familiar with Laura Woods, who has been part of the line-up of presenters since 2022. The former Sky Sports presenter was the trusted hands for ITV during their coverage of the Women's World Cup in 2023. 9 Since then, Woods has been the lead presenter at the Lionesses biggest matches this tournament, most recently hosting the dramatic semi-final. Who are the ITV pundits? While the BBC have whipped a star-studded all-female presenting line-up, ITV have also pulled out the big guns with their pundits, but it's not been without controversy. In the final, Ian Wright, Emma Hayes and Karen Carney will all be present. Arsenal legend Wright hit the headlines earlier this year after former England international Eni Aluko argued that he should not be presenting women's football, because he was "blocking" opportunities. Wright, a stalwart of football coverage, is a passionate advocate for women's football. 9 What's more, it emerged that Wright has been paying £1,700 a month to fund Kayleigh McDonald's rehab after she suffered an ACL injury while playing for Stoke City last year. After the controversy, Aluko issued an apology and has since been a part of the broadcaster's coverage; however, they have decided to go with Wright for the final. Alongside Wright in the presenting line-up will be England legend Karen Carney, who never fails to show her excitement and passion in the big moments while also providing an excellent judgement on the match. 9 Former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes will also be present for ITV. Hayes has cemented herself as a wise leader in women's football following her dominant stint at Chelsea and now Olympic gold medal-winning leadership of Team USA.
