Latest news with #GrandCanal
Al Bawaba
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Lauren Sanchez becomes Mrs. Bezos: $50M wedding, $5M necklace & royal guests in Venice
ALBAWABA - Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' lavish Venice wedding dominates global headlines. News and social media are still dominated by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding. The Amazon founder and his bride departed the opulent Aman Hotel with a view of the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, for their three-day wedding celebration, according to Reuters. Along with Matteo Bocelli, Andrea Bocelli's son, the pair traveled to San Giorgio Island, where the ring exchange occurred. In a sumptuous celebration that perfectly captured the grandeur of the event, the newlyweds and their guests were also seen aboard water taxis. Lauren Sanchez Instagram profile Lauren recently posted the first wedding photo, which shows her grinning with her husband, Jeff. She captioned the event with the date: "06/27/2025 ♥️." Additionally, she became Lauren Sanchez Bezos on Instagram. Queen Rania Al Abdullah, her daughter Princess Iman bint Abdullah II, and her husband Jameel Alexander Thermiotis were among the many dignitaries and celebrities that came to the wedding today. Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, his spouse, joined them. Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, Khloe and Kim Kardashian, Ellie Goulding, Tom Brady and Usher, Kylie Jenner, Kris Jenner, Orlando Bloom, and Leonardo DiCaprio were also there. The festivities, which are expected to cost over $50 million, will end on Saturday with a lavish supper at a historic waterfront venue. Elton John and Lady Gaga are reportedly planning to perform soon. A diamond necklace worth up to $5 million According to Page Six, Bezos gave his bride a diamond necklace with a big center stone and matching earrings that were thought to be worth between $3 and $5 million. The necklace "couldn't be ignored because of its striking size," according to the insider, implying that Sanchez would probably use it during the wedding. According to the story, Sanchez has a jewelry collection valued at over $30 million, and she takes pictures of her clothes before public appearances to check them out. This action was taken around a year after the pair declared their engagement in May 2023, following the discovery of a huge diamond engagement ring on Sanchez's finger while on a cruise aboard their opulent boat, "Koru." It's important to remember that Bezos and Sanchez started dating in 2019 and that their romance became one of the most well-known in the world of affluent people. In 2019, Bezos ended his 25-year marriage to MacKenzie Scott, with whom he has four children, in a divorce. Lauren Sanchez has three children from her marriage to Patrick Whitesell.
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Bezos, Sanchez say 'I do' in a divided Venice
Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez tied the knot Friday at a sumptuous ceremony with the rich and famous on an island in Venice's lagoon, out of the sight and sound of protesters. "This city seems impossible! It can't exist and yet, here it is!" an enchanted Bezos told a La Repubblica journalist Thursday who got close to the magnate as he whizzed around the canals by boat. But protesters had a different view, wondering how long Venice can endure: While the billionaires party, activists say the fragile city is sinking, overrun by tourists, and a victim of depopulation as locals unable to pay soaring rents are forced out. "No Kings, No Bezos" read a sign in green neon projected on the St Mark's Campanile tower on Thursday night. - Serenaded - Bezos and Sanchez, a former news anchor and entertainment reporter, celebrated their nuptials with guests including Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Orlando Bloom. The tech magnate, 61, and Sanchez, 55, are staying at the Aman hotel, a luxury 16th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal with a view of the Rialto bridge. Other A-list guests are staying at the Gritti Palace and the St. Regis. The couple exchanged vows at a black-tie ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore Friday afternoon, according to Italian media reports. The wedding is thought to have taken place in a vast open-air amphitheatre on the island, which sits across from Venice's iconic St Mark's Square. The newlyweds were to be serenaded by Matteo Bocelli, son of the famed opera singer Andrea Bocelli, reports said. Michelin-starred chef Fabrizio Mellino prepared the wedding dinner, while the cake has been made by French pastry chef Cedric Grolet, the Corriere della Sera said. Sanchez is alleged to have prepared 27 outfits to wear during the festivities. - 'Enchanted' - Wedding guests snapped by paparazzi as they hopped into boats included Jordan's Queen Rania, French luxury goods executive Francois-Henri Pinault, American football player Tom Brady, US fashion designer Spencer Antle, the singer Usher, and Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner. The guests reportedly lunched Thursday in the gardens of Villa Baslini, on the islet of San Giovanni Evangelista. The celebrations are set to end Saturday with a party likely at the Arsenale, a vast shipyard complex dating back to when the city was a naval powerhouse. Bezos and Sanchez are donating three million euros ($3.5 million) to the city, according to Veneto's regional president Luca Zaia, and are employing historic Venetian artisans. Venice's oldest pastry maker Rosa Salva is baking 19th-century "fishermen's biscuits" for party bags that will also contain something by Laguna B, renowned for its handblown Murano glass. Trump and her family visited a glass-blowing workshop on the small island of Murano on Wednesday, according to the owner. "They were amazed and enchanted by the magic of glass," Massimiliano Schiavon told the Corriere della Sera, adding that the family had a go at blowing glass. Venice, home to the oldest film festival in the world, is used to VIPs whizzing around in speed boats, and happily hosted the star-studded nuptials of Hollywood actor George Clooney in 2014. Some say this wedding too brings good business. Italy's tourism ministry said Friday it expected the wedding to bring the city nearly one billion euros, with about 895 million of that estimated to come from the "media visibility" generated. But critics say Bezos, one of the world's richest men and founder of a company regularly scrutinised for how it treats its workers, is different. "Tax Billionaires", read protest signs along canals. "In the time it takes you to read this, Jeff Bezos's wealth has increased by more than your monthly salary", they read in English and Italian. Environmental activists have also pointed to the carbon footprint of the mega yachts and dozens of private jets -- at least 95 -- bringing the rich and famous to the city. But Samuel Silvestri, a 55-year-old salesman, welcomed the extravaganza. "Over-tourism is caused by those people who come with a backpack and their own food, and contribute very little," he said, "not those who transform Venice into a mini-Monte Carlo. This marriage helps the image of the city." Italy's health ministry has issued a red heat alert for Venice for the weekend, part of a heatwave affecting much of southern Europe.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos exchange vows
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez have exchanged vows on an island in Venice's lagoon in front of around 250 Hollywood stars, tech tycoons, billionaire entrepreneurs and royalty in the year's most high-profile wedding. Applause was heard as the couple tied the knot on the tiny island of San Giorgio, just across the water from St Mark's Square. Earlier, Ms Sanchez blew kisses as she emerged from the luxury Aman Venice hotel. The 55-year-old American journalist and helicopter pilot took a water taxi along the Grand Canal before stepping onto a wooden pier on San Giorgio. Mr Bezos, 61, was seen soon afterward heading to the island waring a black tuxedo and sunglasses. 'She looked very Jackie O,' said one photographer, referring to the headscarf and large sunglasses Ms Sánchez was wearing. The island, home to a cluster of historic churches and cloisters, has sweeping views of Venice's lagoon. There will be a performance by Matteo Bocelli, the son of the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, followed by a fireworks display. Mr Bezos was seen waving to crowds as he set off for the gala. The ceremony will have no legal status under Italian law and it is thought the couple, who are both divorcees, may have already legally married in the US. The lavish three-day extravaganza, estimated to have cost tens of millions of euros, would bring an economic boost of €957 million euros (£817 million) to Venice, said Daniela Santanchè, Italy's tourism minister. The figure is based on a study carried out by the statistics office of the Italian tourism ministry. It would represent 68 per cent of the annual revenue that Venice normally takes from tourism, she added. The claim was made as it was reported that Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John will perform for the couple at a party on Saturday night. It will be held in the Arsenal, the centuries-old shipyard where Venetians built timber merchant vessels and warships that helped them forge a trading empire in the Adriatic Sea and beyond. It is a vast complex of warehouses, shipyards and workshops surrounded by crenellated walls, which are guarded by imposing towers and carved stone lions. Lady Gaga and Sir Elton are known to be friends, have performed together in the past and collaborated on the song Sine From Above. A guest list that includes the Kardashian sisters, Queen Rania of Jordan, Orlando Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates has ensured that the wedding has made headlines and been broadcasted around the world. Khloé Kardashian and Kris Jenner, her mother, were photographed shopping in Venice's luxury boutiques on Friday. 'Events like this reinforce Italy's global image, generate jobs, promote the country and attract new influxes of discerning tourists,' said Ms Santanchè. 'The media exposure also reinforces Italy's part in the wedding tourism sector. I want to thank Jeff Bezos and everyone who chooses Italy as the place to celebrate the most important moments of their lives.' Critics say Venice is already straining under the pressure of millions of tourists, and the last thing the area needs is for its profile to be raised further. Activists have staged a number of protests against the wedding. Demonstrators used lasers on Thursday night to project the words 'No Space for Bezos' and 'Fck Bzs' on the bell tower in St Mark's Square. Opinion is sharply divided in the city. Some Venetians have welcomed the economic benefits the wedding will bring, while others have said it reinforces the impression that Venice is turning into a cultural Disneyland where tourism reigns supreme and inhabitants are driven out by exorbitant rents. Eliza Daidone, 79-year-old resident who lives in a house overlooking a canal in the Cannaregio district, said: 'It will bring in money to a small minority like hotels and restaurants. It will bring work for the water taxis and the gondoliers. 'But for a lot of other people, it feels like a slap in the face. Young people work 12 hours a day and are lucky if they earn 1,500 euros a month. And here's Bezos coming to Venice for three days and spending millions.' Across the piazza, Angela, a bar owner, said: 'We've got bigger things to worry about than Bezos' wedding. The number-one problem here is the housing crisis, the fact that locals can't afford somewhere to live. Everything has become an Airbnb. That's the real issue. All this stuff about Bezos is just words – and envy.' But Marco, who owns a tourist shop at one end of the Rialto Bridge, said the Amazon founder and his wealthy guests should be warmly welcomed. 'At least they will bring some revenue to the city. Not like the day-trippers we get. They arrive for a few hours, use all the services, clog up the alleyways, spend a few euros and then leave. 'They create chaos and inconvenience every day. I think the protesters are hypocritical – I bet they all have Amazon accounts.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Guardian
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Jeff in Venice: seven takeaways from the Bezos-Sánchez wedding
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sánchez held their wedding ceremony in Venice's Grand canal on Friday, the centrepiece of a three-day gala that drew dozens of stars but also protests by local activists. Here are seven takeaways. The couple kicked off celebrations with a foam party onboard their $500m (£364m) super yacht that is moored close to the Croatian island of Unije. Coinciding with Sánchez's son Evan Whitesell's 19th birthday, paparazzi photos showed the couple wearing swimwear and sunhats covered in frothy suds as they partied alongside Whitesell and his friends. As anyone who attended a foam party in the noughties can attest to, they are notorious for causing conjunctivitis, so the decision to hold one just days before their nuptials was somewhat surprising but maybe billionaire foam hits different. What do you get for the fourth richest person in the world? Apparently nothing. A portion of the official invitation obtained by ABC News stipulated an early request from the couple; 'please, no gifts'. Instead it stated that Bezos and Sánchez would be making donations 'with gratitude' on their guests' behalf to causes including the Venice International University and an organisation dedicated to restoring the city's lagoons. On social media, the biggest question users had was, who had designed the invite? Featuring doodle-like illustrations of butterflies, shooting stars, feathers and the Rialto Bridge some argued they had been generated by AI or, perhaps, bulk bought via Amazon. Alongside donations on their behalf, each guest will receive a goodie bag. While we wait for one of the Kardashian clan to do an official unboxing on YouTube so far it has been revealed that they feature sweet treats from the historic Venetian pastry shop Rosa Salva and vibrant coloured glassware from the Murano specialist Laguna B. First came the anti-capitalist public protests. Then it turned out one of Bezos and Sánchez's three chosen venues was in fact, covered by unsightly scaffolding. The next disaster to hit? A freak thunderstorm on Thursday night during a welcoming party at the Madonna dell'Orto cloisters. With heavy lightning and rain it reportedly leaving many guests soaked, forcing the event to end early. Perhaps Bezos and Sánchez's should have followed fashion week's lead and hired a rain shaman. The biggest hint that Sánchez will at some point wear a dress by Dolce & Gabbana stems from a photo of Domenico Dolce enjoying aperitivo hour at the Gritti Palace, a five-star hotel on Venice's Grand canal. Sánchez is a long-time fan of the Italian label but, saying that, she isn't particularly loyal to any brand, and it's thought that Anna Wintour – who is likely attending – is supportive of the idea. As she recently told Vogue after decades of dressing in tailoring during her TV presenting days, she is now focusing on 'having fun' with fashion. Plus, she has the budget to buy whatever she wants rather than rely on designers to approve her wearing a loan. Sánchez appeared to whizz off to the ceremony in an Audrey Hepburn cosplay in a headscarf and dark glasses. Getting lost in Venice is part of the charm. Not so if you have a staged paparazzi shot to get to. As anyone who's been in a city tour group will know, ensuring all parties are dressed in the same garb is the easiest way to stay with the party. Literal dressing, where you pay homage to the place, is one thing. The fetishisation of postwar Italian cultural icons such as Monica Vitti or Sophia Lauren in some archive Cavalli (Kendall and Kylie) or vintage Versace snakeskin (Kim) is another. Still, it's probably the simplest way to stay with the crowd while reminding people you're in Italy. In case anyone had forgotten. With the ceremony not taking place until Friday evening, many guests found themselves with time to kill. With a personal art collection valued at $127mn, it came as no surprise that Bill Gates and friend popped into the Accademia that houses The Pietà by Titian.
South China Morning Post
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Bezos and Sanchez head to wedding ceremony in star-studded Venice
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez left their luxury hotel on Venice's Grand Canal on Friday to head to their wedding ceremony, the centrepiece of a three-day gala featuring dozens of stars but also protests by local activists. Advertisement Sanchez, 55, waved and blew kisses to onlookers as she boarded a sleek motor boat outside the Aman hotel wearing short-sleeved, cream fitted skirt suit, with shades and a headscarf to protect her from the blistering summer sun. Around two hours later Bezos, 61, wearing a black tuxedo and bow tie over a white shirt, made the same short trip across the lagoon to the small island of San Giorgio where the couple will exchange rings, accompanied by singing from Matteo Bocelli, son of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The evening ceremony will have no legal status under Italian law, a senior city hall official told Reuters, suggesting the couple may have already legally wed in the United States, avoiding the bureaucracy associated with an Italian marriage. The festivities, estimated to cost around US$50 million, culminate on Saturday with a party in a former medieval shipyard where media outlets say Lady Gaga and Elton John are set to perform. Lauren Sanchez leaves the Aman Venice hotel in Venice, Italy, on Friday. Photo: Reuters Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, the queen of Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner and Kim and Khloe Kardashian as well as Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner and Domenico Dolce from Dolce & Gabbana are among the 200-250 guests.
