Latest news with #Mark
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Who is Mark Bezos? Jeff Bezos' rarely seen half-brother shines at Venice wedding as he resembles to This Hollywood star
Mark Bezos, the younger half-brother of Jeff Bezos, and his wife Lisa Bezos attended the Amazon's founder's groom's party in Venice. As Mark attended the wedding in black tux, he resembled a Hollywood star. Mark Bezos with his wife Lisa Bezos at the wedding of Jeff Bezos in Venice. (Image: AFP via Getty Images) He is said to be lookalikes of Bruce Willis and even Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, who starred in Moana and Jumanji. While Mark isn't a Hollywood celebrity, he has been rubbing elbows with a handful of the celebrities and wealthy who made their way to Venice to witness the wedding. Mark is a businessman like his elder half-brother, but he avoids the limelight and prefers to work more behind the scenes. In 1996, Mark decided to assist his elder brother Jeff and his firm, Amazon, continuing some of his family's traditions. Bloomberg reported that he purchased 30,000 Amazon shares for $10,000 that year, joining sister Christina. It is estimated that they would have been valued $640 million in 2018 if they had opted to keep the shares. Mark, who is also known for charities, works as a director of Robin Hood, an esteemed anti-poverty group in New York City. In addition to his charitable work, he co-founded the consumer brand-focused private equity business HighPost Capital. Also Read: Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez join list of richest married couples; Here's how prenups for wealthiest people take place A quick recap of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez tied a knot on June 27 in an extraordinarily lavish Venice wedding, after a few days of star-studded nuptial events. The family matriarch Kris Jenner, sisters Kim and Khloé Kardashian, their youngest sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Oprah Winfrey, model Brooks Nader, Leonardo DiCaprio and his model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, and Bezos' fellow billionaire Bill Gates were among the A-list guests photographed en route to the ceremony. According to Vogue magazine, Lauren Sánchez Bezos wore a high-neck Dolce & Gabbana silhouette dress with a tulle-and-lace veil that was similar to the veil worn by famous Italian actress Sophia Loren in the 1958 movie 'Houseboat.' About 70 of the 200 guests were the couple's relatives, according to Vogue. Before sharing her wedding photo, she wiped her Instagram, leaving just three (now archived) pictures. In addition, the journalist changed her handle to @laurensanchezbezos and her display name to 'Lauren Sánchez Bezos'.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Who is Mark Bezos? Jeff Bezos' rarely seen half-brother shines at Venice wedding as he resembles to This Hollywood
Mark Bezos, the younger half-brother of Jeff Bezos, and his wife Lisa Bezos attended the Amazon's founder's groom's party in Venice. As Mark attended the wedding in black tux, he resembled a Hollywood star. Mark Bezos with his wife Lisa Bezos at the wedding of Jeff Bezos in Venice. (Image: AFP via Getty Images) He is said to be lookalikes of Bruce Willis and even Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, who starred in Moana and Jumanji. While Mark isn't a Hollywood celebrity, he has been rubbing elbows with a handful of the celebrities and wealthy who made their way to Venice to witness the wedding. Mark is a businessman like his elder half-brother, but he avoids the limelight and prefers to work more behind the scenes. In 1996, Mark decided to assist his elder brother Jeff and his firm, Amazon, continuing some of his family's traditions. Bloomberg reported that he purchased 30,000 Amazon shares for $10,000 that year, joining sister Christina. It is estimated that they would have been valued $640 million in 2018 if they had opted to keep the shares. Mark, who is also known for charities, works as a director of Robin Hood, an esteemed anti-poverty group in New York City. In addition to his charitable work, he co-founded the consumer brand-focused private equity business HighPost Capital. Also Read: Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez join list of richest married couples; Here's how prenups for wealthiest people take place A quick recap of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez tied a knot on June 27 in an extraordinarily lavish Venice wedding, after a few days of star-studded nuptial events. The family matriarch Kris Jenner, sisters Kim and Khloé Kardashian, their youngest sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Oprah Winfrey, model Brooks Nader, Leonardo DiCaprio and his model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, and Bezos' fellow billionaire Bill Gates were among the A-list guests photographed en route to the ceremony. According to Vogue magazine, Lauren Sánchez Bezos wore a high-neck Dolce & Gabbana silhouette dress with a tulle-and-lace veil that was similar to the veil worn by famous Italian actress Sophia Loren in the 1958 movie 'Houseboat.' About 70 of the 200 guests were the couple's relatives, according to Vogue. Before sharing her wedding photo, she wiped her Instagram, leaving just three (now archived) pictures. In addition, the journalist changed her handle to @laurensanchezbezos and her display name to 'Lauren Sánchez Bezos'.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Woman knocks on ex's door after suspicious feeling and whole world crumbles
Alice thought she was rekindling a lost romance when she reconnected with Mark, a childhood friend. Instead, she became the victim of a devastating romance fraud Alice thought she was rekindling a lost romance when she reconnected with Mark, a childhood friend and former schoolmate. Instead, she became the victim of a devastating romance fraud that cost her £42,000 and left her emotionally shattered. Unlike most romance scams, which begin online between strangers, Alice, a solicitor from Shropshire, knew her fraudster personally. She and Mark, not their real names, had once dated briefly in their twenties, shared dozens of mutual friends on Facebook, and had exchanged occasional birthday greetings over the years. Their renewed connection began in October 2020, when Mark started messaging her regularly. They bonded over shared memories, tastes in music and food, and soon met in person at a pub they had frequented as teenagers. "It was amazing. It was like my youth was back," Alice told the BBC. "We had a shared history. I felt completely at home with him." Their relationship developed quickly. Mark met Alice's friends and family, and she trusted him completely. So when he confided that he was struggling with business debts due to the coronavirus pandemic, she didn't question it. He even showed her threatening messages to back up his claims and said he couldn't bring her to his home for safety reasons. "He made it very clear that he needed help," she said. "I was essentially in a position where I wanted to save him." By April 2021, Alice had loaned him £20,000. As a solicitor, she took the precaution of formalising the loan in writing and verifying that Mark was in the process of selling his property to repay her. But the sale never materialised - and neither did the repayments. Over time, the amount she lent him ballooned. Alice paid for everything from rent and clothes to medical treatments and therapy sessions. She even covered the cost of a car and funded trips to Wimbledon and Croatia. She was there for Mark emotionally, and he was even by her side when her grandfather died. But behind the scenes, Mark was living a double life. In October 2023, after lending him a total of £57,000 - of which he had only repaid £14,000 - Alice ended the relationship over the phone. Feeling suspicious, she drove to Mark's house for the first time. There, she encountered a woman she recognised as Mark's supposed ex, Julie, standing in the driveway with Mark's dog, whose vet bills Alice had paid. Julie told Alice to leave and warned her not to return, accusing her of stalking. Mark had reportedly told Julie a completely different story. When Alice insisted she could prove their relationship, Julie threatened to call the police. Alice's final meeting with Mark took place in a supermarket car park, where he claimed he had cancer and had gone back to Julie for emotional support. But when Alice spoke with a neighbour, the truth emerged: Mark had been living with Julie the entire time. "For the whole period he was with me, promising a life together, he was going home to her every day," Alice said. The couple moved out shortly after Alice's confrontation. Their landlady later confirmed that Mark still owed her five months' rent. Alice reported the matter to police in December 2023, but was initially told it was a civil matter and that no crime had been committed. Undeterred, she sought help from Love Said, a charity supporting victims of emotional and financial abuse. Co-founder Anna Rowe told the BBC that many police forces lack awareness of "in-person" romance fraud, often dismissing it or shaming the victims. With the charity's support, Alice filed a report with Action Fraud. "They asked, 'Are you saying this man deliberately entered a relationship to get your money?' And I said, 'Yes, I am.'' On the anniversary of their breakup in 2024, Alice received a £120 bank transfer from Mark. He reportedly told investigators he plans to repay the debt monthly - meaning it would take him 30 years to clear, by which time Alice will be 80. Detective Inspector Daniel Fenn, from West Mercia Police 's economic crime and cyber unit, said romance fraud cases are often complex and emotionally charged. "We have trained officers dedicated to tackling fraud and additional resources in place to investigate these types of crimes,' he said. But for Alice, the damage is already done. She says it's not just about the money, as the scammer also stole "my trust, my love, my future".
Metro
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
I'm a luxury wedding planner — we should be thrilled by Jeff Bezos' celebrations
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have officially tied the not in a luxury Venetian wedding — and the celebrations have been about as over the top as you'd expect. The Amazon billionaire and his new wife celebrated in front of 200 VIP guests, following days of blatant excess in the floating city, two years after the billionaire proposed to the TV journalist on his $500 million superyacht. While locals have been protesting the 'absurd wealth theatre' on display – with creepy mannequins of the pair spotted floating through the Venice canals — Jeff has been pictured frolicking in the suds of a foam party aboard his lavish yacht before the big day. Guests began arriving earlier this week, with the likes of Ivanka Trump, Barbara Streisand, Kim Kardashian and Bill Gates jetting in. But things haven't exactly gone to plan: Thursday's pre-wedding party at the historic Madonna dell-Orto cloisters was hit by torrential rain. A-listers including Kylie Jenner were forced to take cover during the freak thunderstorm. Because even billionaires can't control the weather… yet. But according to top UK wedding planner Mark Niemierko, we shouldn't be rolling our eyes — we should be getting inspired. 'I think overall myself, and other fellow planners in the industry are excited,' he tells Metro. 'While their taste might not be to everyone's liking, I feel this is what is most important when it comes to planning and designing your wedding – being yourself.' Mark has been a luxury wedding planner for 20 years, with a client list that includes Julia and James Cordon and Rochelle and Marvin Humes. His company, Niemierko, has even planned weddings attended by royalty. After seeing enough drab wedding concepts while in the business, he's excited to see someone doing something different. 'I am thrilled we might have a break in the beige weddings taking over Instagram, the algorithm needs a refresh,' he says. 'Overall, I'm loving every minute from the leaked gift Registry card of the invites, to the foam party snaps, to the drama of having to move venues.' Mark knows a thing or two about excess — he's planned countless weddings, with the average budget stretching between £500,000 and £750,000, and some soaring into the millions. Think six-figure cake rooms, karaoke machines on the dance floor, private jets for a family's pet dog (and the pet's walker), entire countryside hotels restaffed top to bottom, and the London Museum's Christmas decorations removed overnight to fit a bride's specific vision. 'Very early on I learnt to listen to my couples, to ensure I created days around them – and not my own personal taste and style,' he says. 'Back in 2006, a bride told me she wanted this 'booth thing', a bit like at train stations where you have your passport photo taken. I immediately thought, what, that won't work. Well, it was and photo booths are now as common at weddings as confetti.' But, is there such a thing as too much? Mark says: 'The only time I draw a line is if it will ruin the guest experience. If it's a mad idea that'll work and keep guests guessing, and the night alive and not dull – I'm all for it. 'But if it's long-winded and service will be affected, I'll likely ensure we ditch it.' For Mark, the best weddings aren't just stylish, they're fun. 'Humour I think is a very important part of a wedding day, if it's all taking yourselves too seriously, posing for photos – where's the moment in that? Less fake, more fun I say,' he adds. If you're planning a wedding – but don't have quite the same budget as Jeff and Lauren, according to Nick there are still things you can do to make sure your nuptials have an A-list vibe. 'I think loos generally are the most important things,' he says. 'Whether you're at an airport or a nightclub, we all need to go for a wee. It shouldn't be an experience of 'Oh my God! I need to go for a wee, but I need to get out of this room so quickly'. 'It should be 'Oh my god, this is insane. I want to stay in here all night.' Mark doesn't hold back when it comes to styling the bathrooms at his weddings, adding everything from scented candles to tarot card readers to pleasantly surprise guests. One simple tip? He says: 'Get yourself crystal decanters, fill them up with mouthwash, get little paper cups and put them on the side. 'There's nothing more fabulous than being on a night out and thinking, 'I almost feel like I've brushed my teeth'.' Obviously, Mark adds, don't be stingy on your choice of soap, and if you can, add personal touches. 'I love doing a sweet jar full of every different coloured vaseline.' And, if he finds out which perfumes the couple wears, he might add little bottles of them in the bathroom. 'But, just beware. They're going to get nabbed,' he adds. 'A guest is going to take them. Someone will steal them.' Next on Mark's essentials list? The bar. And not just what's in it, but where it is. 'You could not be a drinker. But you still need a drink. So the bar is going to need to be fully stocked,' he says. 'If you can't afford to water and feed all of your guests, then don't invite them. Have a fully open bar if you can afford it.' You want to make sure it's close to the action. Mark advises: 'Don't have it separate from the dance room, because you'll end up with a split group, and you want it closer to where the dancing is. More Trending 'Not on top of the dance floor, but close enough to make sure it's flowing and whoever's managing it doesn't run out of glassware. It needs to flow.' You might assume it's all over when the music stops, but Mark wants guests to be surprised until the very last moment. He's even set up a Shawarma kebab stall for guests to enjoy on their way out. 'Can you imagine what the guests are saying to each other when they leave that wedding? They're drunk and they're turning to each other, probably talking with their mouths full, going, 'Oh my God! This is the best wedding I've ever been to'.' Battersea Power Station (pre-renovation) – one of Mark's early large-scale projects was held at Battersea Power Station when it was still derelict in 2012. He turned it into a grand-scale rock-and-roll wedding. He says: 'It's funny going back there now and it's all so polished and beautiful.' British Pullman Train – in 2012, Mark transported guests to a countryside wedding at Blenheim Palace via the Belmond British Pullman Train. 'Everyone got on the British Pullman, and we had a fabulous dinner on the train. Then you arrived in Woodstock, and your hotel was taken care of,' he says. The British Museum – Mark orchestrated the first-ever wedding at the British Museum for just 20 guests in 2018. 'Guests didn't know where they were going,' he says. 'We did a very simple registry office and then they got in cars to a mystery venue and pulled up at the British Museum. It was like Night at the Museum. Totally empty. And then you walked to the Egyptian galleries and that's where we had a dinner. It was quite epic.' Private jet for dogs – Niemierko has gone the extra mile for all sorts of guests. 'There's obviously been private jets for dogs, he says. 'We can't say where they were flying from, but we had to make sure that dog was somewhere else and they pretty much flew with a staff member on a private jet.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Who's who at Jeff Bezos's $10,000,000 wedding as A-list guests 'descend on Venice' MORE: Who's going to Jeff Bezos's wedding? The $10,000,000 guest list 'descending on Venice' MORE: Everything that's happened between Hailey and Justin Bieber as marriage breakdown rumours mount Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
National Trust for Scotland chair on storms, Covid and saving seabirds
Before reaching this, his final few months as chair of Scotland's largest membership organisation, there would be devastating storms, headline-grabbing controversies, and growing challenges driven by climate change. From battles over battlefields, to ever-expanding wind farms and controversial housing developments pressing up against the nation's treasured landscapes, the past few years had it all. Pitmedden Garden near Ellon in Aberdeenshire, one of 38 gardens in the care of NTS (Image: National Trust for Scotland) Beyond the buildings, in carefully manicured gardens and wild nature reserves there was also the heartbreak of avian influenza. Cutting a deadly swathe through seabird colonies in Trust-run landscapes including St Kilda, St Abbs and Fair Isle, it left dedicated NTS rangers devastated. At one stage, redundancy fears loomed for staff. A handful of much-loved properties were sold and questions hung over the future of others - some suggested even the First Minister's official residence, Bute House, might be moved on. It was, by anyone's reckoning, a baptism of fire. Read more: Yet Sir Mark's announcement this week that he will step aside in August after six rollercoaster years comes accompanied not with regret, but with something of a glowing report card. The Trust, it seems, hasn't just weathered the storm - quite literally in the case of January's Storm Éowyn, which toppled more than 10,000 trees across its properties - but has emerged stronger, more resilient, and crucially, more popular than ever. Between March last year and February this year, over 5.6 million visitors passed through the Trust's sites. It is a record-breaking figure, up by 1.1 million on the previous year and the highest in its 90-year history. Glencoe National Nature Reserve led the charge with more than one million visitors, closely followed by Glenfinnan Monument and The Hermitage in Perthshire, each drawing around half a million people. St Abb's Head near Eyemouth is among eight nature reserves in the care of National Trust for Scotland (Image: National Trust for Scotland) Given where the Trust found itself in spring 2020 - with doors locked, all 492 permanent staff at risk of redundancy, and warnings that some 'non-heritage' land and property could face sale - the turnaround has been remarkable. Reflecting on two terms as Chair during which he's led a Board of Trustees in the task of overseeing the work of NTS Chief Executive Philip Long and his team, it's impossible for Sir Mark to ignore the looming shadow of Covid. Before the pandemic, his hope for the Trust were clear: stabilise finances, grow membership, and start laying foundations for the 2031 centenary. 'I felt in some ways that NTS had a varied but occasionally troubled past,' he recalls of the period leading up to his appointment. 'And I was concerned that the Trust should be - and be seen to be - financially viable.' Then lockdown came. 'It looked pretty grim to begin with,' he says. 'It was highly disruptive. No one could visit our properties, and quite a lot of people's jobs, at least temporarily, ceased to exist.' A £28 million income loss was on the cards and an emergency public appeal for £2.7 million was launched. NTS property The Tenement House tells the story of Glasgow family life (Image: National Trust for Scotland) Yet as Scots reconnected with nature and heritage on their doorsteps, something shifted. Government support helped, as did the generosity of donors, the loyalty of Trust members and its army of volunteers and staff. 'It was much less bad than we had feared,' Sir Mark reflects. 'NTS worked very hard to sustain membership and to keep in touch with people, to reassure them about the future. I think on the whole, it recovered reasonably quickly.' Indeed, the crisis would in some ways breathe new life into the organisation. It parted ways with its controversial president, Neil Oliver, whose outspoken views on politics jarred with some members. It also began the delicate process of exploring uncomfortable histories linked to colonialism and slavery, bringing long-sidelined stories to the forefront. While many Trust buildings are rooted firmly in the past, in recent years the organisation's voice become increasingly present-day and outspoken, particularly around contentious planning issues that threaten to overwhelm natural landscapes or encroach on historically significant sites. Plans for a horse trotting track near the Battle of Bannockburn site were turned down last month after NTS objections There was, for instance, the Trust's high-profile rallying cry over a proposed horse harness racing track on land at Bannockburn, scene of the 1314 battle and NTS heritage centre. Now, as Sir Mark prepares to hand over the reins, he is clear: the Trust's voice should continue to grow louder in the face of Scotland's conservation challenges. Seabirds, and the looming issue of offshore windfarms, are high on his mind. From the puffins of St Kilda to the gannets of St Abb's Head and Fair Isle's Great Skua colony, the Trust is custodian to some of the country's most important seabird colonies. The dramatic cliffs of St Abbs Head attract seabird colonies (Image: National Trust for Scotland) While few would argue against the need for renewable energy, Sir Mark is mindful of the risks it can pose to nature. 'We all recognise the importance of tackling climate change and supporting actions like offshore wind,' he says. 'But we also have to be aware of the terrible toll that can be exacted on seabird populations by these enormous offshore wind installations. 'We need to work with others in the field to ensure we get the maximum benefit with the minimum harm.' The Trust has spoken out loudly against the proposed windfarm at Berwick Bank, off its St Abbs Nature Reserve, pointing out that developer SSE Renewables, have predicted a far higher seabird mortality for it than for other UK windfarm. With up to 307 turbines across an area four times the size of Edinburgh and just 23 miles off important seabird colonies, SSE Renewables' own estimates suggest more than 31,000 bird collisions over its projected 35-year lifespan. NTS fears for its "seabird cities" of guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills that make their nests on the steep cliffs of its St Abbs reserve. Read more by Sandra Dick: It's becoming used to making its voice heard: the Trust helped secure a ban on industrial sandeel fishing in the North Sea, arguing with other organisations of its critical role as a food source for seabirds. Looking ahead, Sir Mark suggests it's likely the Trust will take a more active stance as new renewable developments and the vast powerline infrastructure they require begin to reshape Scotland's landscapes. 'We know that upgrading the connectors needed to carry electricity from offshore wind platforms to the rest of the country are likely to be increasingly controversial,' he adds. 'There may be - and in one case there will be - large overhead lines crossing Scotland. 'I think there's going to be a real discussion over to what extent it makes sense to underground part or the whole of some of these connectors. 'We are part of nature ourselves,' he adds, highlighting the Trust's gardens, land holdings and agricultural interests. 'It's a complicated relationship, but one we need to get right.' St Kilda's gannets in flight - seabird colonies at NTS sites were decimated by avian influenza (Image: National Trust for Scotland) Beyond seabirds and cables, there's Scotland's crumbling built heritage to consider. Sir Mark, former Director of both the National Museums of Scotland and London's Victoria & Albert Museum, speaks passionately about the Trust's work to maintain and safeguard properties, from Canna House in the Inner Hebrides, the one time home of Gaelic culture collectors John Lorne Campbell and his wife Margaret Fay Shaw, to the recent "surprising" visit he made to Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace in Ecclefechan. He has a particular fondness for the work of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, singling out the Trust's interior décor project at Holmwood House in Glasgow as a particular triumph. Meanwhile, Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Hill House and the original Willow Tea Rooms building – both in the Trust's care - remain close to his heart. They are success stories, but he remains concerned that more effort should be put into protecting the pair's achievements. Mackintosh at the Willow in Sauchiehall Street, a recent addition to the NTS portfolio of buildings (Image: National Trust for Scotland and Mackintosh at the Willow) For example, should NTS ever have a bottomless pit of money, Thomson's Category A Listed Egyptian Halls in Union Street would top his personal wish list of buildings he'd love to see saved. That, of course, is a dream. But, he adds: 'One doesn't need to say you are going to take on the whole responsibility of a building to say that we think that it's preservation is important and it's future needs to be assured.' Read more by Sandra Dick: Indeed, as he makes way for his replacement Chair, the current Electoral Commissioner Scotland and Convener of Court at the University of Strathclyde, Dame Sue Bruce, it's with a hope that the Trust's voice will grow ever stronger. She takes over at the end of summer, at a time of growing membership that is already closing in on the ambitious 500,000 target contained in the Trust's ten-year strategy, Nature, Beauty & Heritage for Everyone strategy. Launched in 2022, it also targets investing £100 million investment in its sites, something Sir Mark states is already well on course. He goes confident for the organisation's future beyond it's 100th year. 'I feel really confident in my successor and the team that she will find in place,' he adds. 'I'm not worried about the future of the Trust. If anything, there are regrets about leaving it. 'The next few years will be exciting. Looking forward to the centenary in 2031, with a whole programme working up towards that at the heart of which will be a new centenary garden at Newhailes House, which will be fabulous.' NTS property Newhailes House near Musselburgh, where a centenary garden is planned to mark the organisation's centenary (Image: National Trust for Scotland) As for his own plans, there's time to enjoy his seven grandchildren, his Edinburgh bookshop, and to work on his forthcoming book about the landscape artist Algernon Newton. There's not much he would change about the last few years, one of the most tumultuous—and transformational—periods in the Trust's history. Except, perhaps, the obvious. 'It would have been wonderful if we hadn't had Covid – and fewer hurricanes would have been nice,' he laughs.
