Latest news with #LaurenSánchez
The Guardian
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Till Jeff us do part: divisive, star-studded Bezos wedding hits full swing in Venice
The Black Death. Byron on the prowl. Rising water levels. Cruise ships the size of city blocks. Venice may have endured many tumultuous events and sinister challenges over the centuries but rarely in its long history has it had to contend with an issue quite as odd and quite as divisive as the sort-of nuptials of the world's fourth-richest person. Friday morning found the lagoon city doing what it does best: looking gorgeous and slightly unreal as it played host to thousands of tourists who posed in silver-prowed gondolas, chugged mid-morning spritzes or simply wilted in the muggy heat. But across the water from St Mark's Square, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's big day was getting under way. The precise choreography of events may not have been clear, but an elaborately planned and stealthily executed operation was unfolding on the tiny island of San Giorgio Maggiore, where the couple would later pledge eternal love and fidelity before a crowd of 200 mainly famous guests. A handful of camera crews mooched around the entrance to the Giorgio Cini foundation, where a pair of tight-lipped but polite individuals sat before monitors under a gazebo and politely fended off requests for information. And no, they really didn't know when the ceremony would begin. According to reports, the couple had already tied the knot in the US, making Friday's event as symbolic as it was expensive. The long Venetian afternoon stirred from its torpor at 5pm when Sánchez emerged from the Aman hotel, wearing a cream suit, sunglasses and a headscarf. The bride then boarded a water taxi that ferried her past the legions of photographers and over to the island. The groom, dressed in black tie, followed an hour later. Despite the heavy media presence and the epic scale of the festivities, however, not everyone on San Giorgio Maggiore was fizzing with excitement. Hosing down the deck of his boat in the island's harbour, 100 metres away from the venue, one local man had offered a laconic and not untypical take on what has become known, a little tediously, as 'the wedding of the century'. What did he make of all the fuss? 'I'm not thinking about it at all,' he said. 'I don't care.' The wedding celebrations – which began in earnest on Thursday night and are due to culminate in a reception held at the Arsenale historic shipyard complex on Saturday – have split the city into three groups. There are those, such as the yachtsman, who simply don't care; there are those furious that Venice is prostrating itself before a man with an estimated net worth of $212bn (£154bn), and then those who, like the city's mayor, see the £40m extravaganza as a welcome money-spinner and a wonderful showcase for the area's attractions. Bezos and Sánchez's famous friends do not appear to have been put off by the controversy, and there have been imaginative protests over the past few days – including rumours of a reserve armada of canal-blocking inflatable crocodiles. Thursday night's welcome party in the cloisters of the Madonna dell'Orto, a 14th-century church in the Cannaregio area, was attended by celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, Ivanka Trump, Tom Brady and Orlando Bloom. But it was followed by yet another resourceful display of disapproval. A little before 11pm, a green laser was used to spell out the slogan, 'No Kings, No Bezos', on the belltower in St Mark's Square. Similar guerrilla actions over recent days have included the unfurling of a banner reading: 'If you can rent Venice for your wedding you can pay more tax.' Those behind the protests – a coalition of groups angered by the selling-out of the city, housing activists and anti-cruise ship campaigners – say their punning 'No Space for Bezos' alliance has already paid off. They claim their sustained pressure, not least the threat to deploy the blow-up crocodile fleet, had prompted the couple to switch the location of the reception from the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a majestic 16th-century building in the city centre, to the more private Arsenale. Others have a different take on the superyachts and the 90 private jets that have descended on Venice this week. The city's mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, has dismissed the protesters as 'shameful' and said the Bezos-Sánchez union will fill Venetian coffers. That view is shared by Italy's tourism minister, Daniela Santanchè. 'There will be photos everywhere, social media will go wild over the bride's dress, over the ceremony,' she told Associated Press. 'All of this translates into a massive free publicity campaign. In fact, because they will spend a lot of money, they will enrich Venice – our shopkeepers, artisans, restaurateurs, hotels. So it's a great opportunity both for spending and for promoting Italy in the world.' One man, however, had his very own reasons for wishing the Amazon founder all the best. Cagdas Halicilar, a 47-year-old German who runs a delivery truck company, has a sideline as a pretty convincing Bezos lookalike. He had travelled to Venice to greet and confound the crowds and was also hoping for a quick encounter with Bezos so that he could give him the €3,000 (£2,600) bottle of whiskey he had bought him as a wedding present. 'I realised the resemblance three years ago,' he said. 'My life has changed a lot since then. Wherever I go, people are like, 'Jeff! Jeff!'' He had come tantalisingly close to his doppelganger on Thursday night when a beautiful burgundy boat cruised past him. 'He saw me and I waved and he gave me a thumbs-up,' said Halicilar. 'I was so happy. I cried.' If the German delivery boss does finally get to meet Bezos, he has a simple message. 'I will just tell him that I'm proud to look like him. That's all. He's not arrogant and he has a big heart. He makes people smile and I'm a huge fan.' (He also hopes that if Bezos is reading this piece, his people can arrange a meeting to hand over the whiskey.) As the day wore on, the secret preparations continued and the vicious June sun beat down on tourists, guests and journalists, one visitor making her way around San Giorgio Maggiore shook her head. This was all proof, if further proof were needed, of the awesome power of the 21st-century super-rich. 'It's grotesque,' said the woman, who was from northern Spain. 'Two hundred and fifty guests and a bill of €50m? This is why I don't buy anything on Amazon.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Are Married! Couple Ties the Knot in Star-Studded Venice Wedding
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez married in a ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy, on Friday, June 27, PEOPLE confirms The couple hosted a multi-day celebration in the Floating City, welcoming numerous celebrity guests including Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Orlando Bloom, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Usher, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Brady PEOPLE confirmed that Bezos and Sánchez were engaged in May 2023, four years after news broke that they were in a relationshipJeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are married, PEOPLE confirms. The Amazon founder, 61, and the Emmy-winning journalist, 55, tied the knot in a black-tie ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy, on Friday, June 27. The couple celebrated their Italian nuptials over several days, welcoming a number of their celebrity friends for the lavish festivities in the Floating City, including Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Orlando Bloom, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Karlie Kloss, Leonardo DiCaprio, Usher and Tom Brady. Other notable guests included Queen Rania of Jordan, Bill Gates and his girlfriend, Paula Hurd, François-Henri Pinault, and fashion designers Diane von Fürstenberg, Domenico Dolce and Tommy Hilfiger. A source tells PEOPLE the couple's wedding ceremony kicked off with a performance of 'Can't Help Falling in Love' by Elvis Presley, sung by Matteo Bocelli to cheers from the guests. Ahead of the ceremony, Bezos and Sánchez were photographed leaving the Aman Hotel separately, presumably headed for their wedding venue. The bride wore a retro-inspired, all-white suit and silk head scarf, while the groom sported a sleek black tuxedo and aviator-style shades. Ahead of their wedding celebrations, the bride and groom were photographed arriving in Venice via helicopter on Wednesday, June 25, smiling as they walked hand-in-hand. They later hosted a welcome party for their guests on Thursday night, June 26, at a closed cloister adjacent to the Madonna dell'Orto church. A source told PEOPLE that the party-goers dined on pizza cooked onsite by a famous Neapolitan chef, along with fried zucchini flowers, arancini, octopus and cod. Dessert included pastries and lemon cakes. The couple had planned to hold their wedding ceremony on Saturday, June 28, at Scuola Grande della Misericordia, but made a last-minute location change due to security concerns amid ongoing local protests over the wedding. To show their appreciation to Venice for hosting them and their guests, Bezos and Sánchez made a point of spotlighting the city's rich artisanal history during their wedding festivities. They sourced about 80% of their provisions from Venetian vendors, among them pastry shop Rosa Salva and glass design studio Laguna B, a source told The Associated Press. In addition, the couple asked their guests to make financial donations to the city of Venice instead of giving them wedding gifts. On their wedding invitation, they listed three Venetian charities they planned to donate the contributions to: the UNESCO Venice Office, CORILA and Venice International University. They also shared on the invitation why Venice holds such a special place in their hearts. "This magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories," they wrote. "Our hope is that through these efforts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come." "We are definitely happy to have this funding for the protection of our very delicate city," Sebastiano Costalonga, local city councillor for commerce and productive activities of the municipality of Venice, told PEOPLE ahead of the wedding. News of Bezos and Sánchez's relationship first broke in January 2019, around the same time that the Blue Origin founder announced his divorce from MacKenzie Scott after 25 years of marriage. At the time, Sánchez was divorcing her husband of 13 years, Patrick Whitesell. While it's unclear when and how Bezos and Sánchez first met, sources previously told PEOPLE that the pair struck up a working relationship while teaming up on several projects and "gradually" developed romantic feelings for each other. Sánchez later opened up about her relationship with Bezos in January 2023, telling WSJ Magazine that the pair were "together all the time." "We love to be together and we love to work together," she told the outlet, before revealing that Bezos has a side that the public doesn't get to see. "He's really funny," she shared. "He makes me laugh all the time. He can be goofy." In May 2023, a source confirmed to PEOPLE that the two had gotten engaged. The news came as the couple was vacationing together in the South of France. Sánchez was photographed wearing a dazzling ring on that finger while spending time on Bezo's superyacht Koru and stepping out in town. At the time, a source told PEOPLE the newly engaged pair were "on cloud nine" and "so happy and madly in love." As for Sánchez's "huge" ring, the insider said the former Good Day LA co-host "keeps playing with it and looking at it. You can tell she loves it." When Bezos celebrated his milestone 60th birthday last year, Sánchez shared a sweet tribute to her then-fiancé on Instagram. "Today is another day where your laughter fills our home, and that smile of yours lights up every room. Wishing you an abundance of simple joys and quiet moments of happiness," she wrote. "May this year be filled with everything you love, from peaceful mornings to joyous celebrations." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. She added: "I hope each day brings you countless reasons to smile, just like you give me a reason to smile every single day. Love you, and happy birthday, my love." With their Venetian wedding, Bezos and Sánchez have now officially merged their families. The billionaire mogul shares four children with his ex-wife, and Sánchez shares son Nikko, 24, with ex Tony Gonzalez, and son Evan, 19, and daughter Ella, 17, with Whitesell. Read the original article on People
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez marry in Venice
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez were married on June 27, 2025, in a private ceremony on San Giorgio Maggiore, a small island across from St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy. The wedding was part of a multi-day celebration spanning June 26 to 28. Around 200 to 250 high-profile guests were in attendance, including Oprah Winfrey, Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Gates, Tom Brady, and Queen Rania of Jordan. The ceremony featured tight security, and part of the celebrations was relocated to the Venetian Arsenal due to safety concerns and to reduce disruption to the local area. Lauren Sánchez wore a custom Dolce & Gabbana lace gown with a dramatic veil, reportedly inspired by Sophia Loren. The dress took over 900 hours to create. Following the ceremony, she shared a photo with Bezos and changed her social media handle to reflect her new name. The couple's wedding weekend included themed parties, multiple outfit changes, and elaborate décor, with estimates placing the event's total cost between €40 million and €50 million. Protests were staged by local activist groups criticizing the perceived privatization of Venice, rising wealth inequality, and overtourism. Demonstrations included floating effigies and banners across key landmarks. Despite the criticism, local officials noted that the event brought substantial economic benefits to the city. Tourism-related revenue was estimated at nearly €1 billion, and the couple reportedly donated between €2 million and €3 million to support Venetian cultural preservation and lagoon conservation. The wedding drew global media attention for its scale, celebrity presence, and location, balancing both admiration for its grandeur and debate over its broader cultural and civic impact.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who Is Lauren Sánchez's Ex-Husband? All About Talent Executive Patrick Whitesell
Lauren Sánchez and Patrick Whitesell were married for 14 years and welcomed two children together before their 2019 divorce Whitesell is a Hollywood talent agent and executive He married model Pia Whitesell in 2021Lauren Sánchez's wedding to Jeff Bezos is taking place on June 27 — but it's not her first trip down the aisle. The former Good Day L.A. co-host was previously married to Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell. The pair wed in August 2005 and went on to welcome two children, Evan and Ella. Sánchez also has a son named Nikko, whom she welcomed with NFL player Tony Gonzalez. Sánchez and Whitesell eventually filed for divorce in April 2019 — just a few months after PEOPLE confirmed that she and Bezos were dating. Whitesell is now married to model Pia Whitesell. They tied the knot in 2021 and share a blended family, which includes Pia's two sons from previous relationships. So, who is Lauren Sánchez's ex-husband? Here's everything to know about Patrick Whitesell and his relationship with the former TV host. Whitesell was born in Iowa Falls, Iowa. He was raised by his parents, Jack and Patricia, and is the youngest of their six sons, according to The Athletic. His oldest brother, John, is a TV and film director, while his second-oldest brother, Christopher, is a Daytime Emmy-winning TV writer. Tom, the third son, is a Los Angeles banking executive, and Jim, the fourth son, is a college basketball coach. Meanwhile, Sean, the second youngest Whitesell brother, was a TV producer, actor and writer of series like House and Cold Case. He died in 2015 at age 52 after being diagnosed with brain cancer. The youngest Whitesell brother graduated from Luther College in 1987 before starting his career in the InterTalent mailroom, per Bloomberg. He went on to become an agent at United Talent Agency (UTA) and eventually led the talent department at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). In 2001, he joined talent agency Endeavor, bringing along several celebrity clients including Drew Barrymore, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Aniston, per The New York Times. Eight years later, he helped orchestrate the company's 2009 merger with William Morris Agency. Whitesell also launched a yet-to-be-named media company in March 2025, per Variety. Whitesell and Sánchez married in 2005. Although they announced their separation in January 2019, they continued living together. 'Over the last two or three years, their marriage felt more like a business relationship,' an insider told PEOPLE at the time. Whitesell and Sánchez officially filed for divorce in April 2019 and reached a settlement that October. During their marriage, Whitesell and Sánchez welcomed two children. Their son, Evan, was born in June 2006, while their daughter, Eleanor "Ella" Patricia, arrived in January 2008. Sánchez is also a mom to son Nikko from her relationship with former NFL player Tony Gonzalez. Whitesell and Sánchez have largely kept their children off their social media accounts. Occasionally, though, the mom of three will share about her kids online. In November 2021, Sánchez shared a photo with Ella and Evan on a hike and wrote 'Love these precious moments" in the caption. Whitesell married Pia, an Australian actress and model, in 2021. The couple made their first public appearance together at the 2019 Casamigos Halloween party. Pia has two sons, Lennox and Isaiah, from previous relationships, but she also isn't shy about showing her love for Whitesell's children. In May 2025, she and Whitesell attended Evan's high school graduation. "CONGRATULATIONS EVAN!!" she wrote on her Instagram Stories about the event. "We love you so much 🤍 @evan_whitesell ✨." In February 2025, Pia also gave her husband a sweet birthday shout-out on Instagram. "Here's to many more years of laughter, love, and making incredible memories. We love you deeply," she wrote. "You've worked so hard, loved so deeply, and led with such GRACE. I Love you always." Read the original article on People
New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Bespoke bash for a billionaire: Jeff Bezos weds Lauren Sánchez in lavish Venice ceremony
VENICE: The sky itself is no limit for billionaire Jeff Bezos and fiancée Lauren Sánchez, who have traveled into space — and expectations were about as high ahead of their wedding in Venice on Friday. One of the world's most enchanting cities as backdrop? Check. Star-studded guestlist and tabloid buzz? Of course. Local flavor? You bet. And then, time to tie the knot. The couple held their wedding ceremony Friday night, and Sánchez posted to Instagram a photo of herself beaming in a white gown as she stood alongside a tuxedo-clad Bezos, the world's fourth-richest man. It was the second day of events spread across the Italian lagoon city, which added complexity to what would have been a massive logistical undertaking even on dry land. Dozens of private jets had flocked to Venice's airport, and yachts pulled into the city's famed waterways. Athletes, celebrities, influencers and business leaders converged to revel in extravagance that was as much a testament to the couple's love as to their extraordinary wealth. The heady hoopla recalled the 2014 wedding in Venice of actor George Clooney to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, when adoring crowds lined the canals and hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside City Hall. Not so for these nuptials, which became a lightning rod for small, colorful protests. But any desire to dampen the prevailing fever pitch hadn't materialized as of Friday. Instead, the glitterati were partying, and the paparazzi jostling for glimpses of the gilded gala. And the bride wore a classic mermaid-line gown, featuring Dolce & Gabbana's signature Italian lace. A traditional tulle-and-lace veil completed her look. "Not just a gown, a piece of poetry," she wrote on Instagram, where her name now appears as Lauren Sánchez Bezos.
