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Sky News AU
09-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Eyewatering Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sánchez wedding blasted by critics as a sign of the West's moral decay
Their big day has come and gone. The lavish nuptials of the third richest man in the world Jeff Bezos and his bride Lauren Sánchez, a three-day extravaganza dubbed the 'Wedding of the Century', has sparked global eyerolls for its ostentatious display of wealth, random but strategic guest list, and what it says about modern culture writ large. Yet its financial ripple effects are an important dynamic that cannot be ignored – and echo the economic power of modern celebrity, whether we like it or not. So, is the financial windfall worth the cultural decay modern celebrity arguably symbolises? Economic Impact on Venice While the event was not without controversy among local citizens, some of whom protested the privatisation of public spaces and Venice's overtourism crisis, Italy's Ministry of Tourism has stated that the Bezos-Sánchez wedding injected $1.1 billion USD into Venice's economy – through the long-term ripple effect of the global media exposure it generated for the city, and direct spending on hotels, venues, transportation, services, and local artisan sourcing from Murano glass to Rosa Salva's pastries. The couple's $3.45 million USD donation to Venetian institutions (CORILA, UNESCO, Venice International University), coupled with an estimated $20 million USD in guest contributions spurred by their request to donate instead of giving gifts, added $23.45 million USD to local causes. These funds supported cultural preservation and environmental research, enhancing Venice's economic appeal. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro also lauded the event as 'high-quality tourism,' with the couple plus the event's 200 to 250 elite guests (representing over USD $435 billion in net worth) frolicking around the city for three days, generating 68 per cent of the city's annual tourism turnover in one weekend. Global Revenue Generation The wedding will generate an additional estimated USD $900 million in global revenue by my estimation, primarily benefiting traditional and social media companies and global luxury brands who capitalised on the event's massive visibility and public interest. More specifically, I estimate over 15 billion ad impressions will be generated across print, digital, television, streaming, and social media channels globally on content relating to the event, which would generate over USD $400 million in advertising revenue assuming an average of $25 rate per 1000 ad impressions (RPMs). An additional USD $450 million in estimated 0.5 per cent sales uplift achieved by the 25-plus luxury brands from Dolce & Gabbana to Murano glass who benefited from significant media exposure through the event. This total USD $2-plus billion total economic impact from the Bezos-Sánchez wedding mirrors the broader phenomenon of modern celebrity weddings as economic powerhouses. From royalty to social media influencers, public interest weddings have become a lucrative industry sector unto themselves. Other Recent Economic Powerhouse Weddings For weddings not broadcast in their entirety, total views were estimated by aggregating global audience reach across print media readership, online article page views, social media impressions, and video content views, adjusted for overlap to approximate unique viewers based on the couple's fame and comparable events. Below are iconic examples, with viewership, costs (inflation-adjusted to 2025 USD), guests, and impacts: The British Royal Family weddings (Charles and Diana, William and Kate, Harry and Meghan) collectively attracted 3 to 5 billion viewers globally (estimates vary), each time generated over $200 million in revenue for the city of London and $1.5 billion for global media and merchandise. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West attracted over 2.5 million viewers to consume media around their nuptials, generating over $50 million in new revenue for media and merchandisers. The Ambani kids – heirs to Indian business tycoon and multi-billionaire Mukesh Ambani – I estimate collectively attracted over 1.4 billion views to media coverage of their wedding spectacles in 2018 and 2024 respectively, which would have generated $30 million in global ad revenue assuming an average of five ads per view at $5 RPMs (reflecting Indian media ad rates). Huang Xiaoming and Angelababy, China's entertainment elite 'it couple', attracted an estimated 500 million media views around their wedding, which was livestreamed and heavily followed on Weibo (which had an estimated 250 to 300 million users at the time of the wedding in 2015) generating $20 million in ad revenue assuming five ads per view at $8 CPMs (reflecting Chinese media ad rates) plus millions more in merchandising sales lifts for brands promoted through the event. Economic Boost vs Social (Dis)trust While Royal or Heads of State weddings are in a unique class where reverence and aspiration are appropriate and a source of national pride, tradition and unity, the modern-day celebrity wedding in contrast evokes something different. Critics argue the extravagance of celebrity weddings ignites societal tensions in times of growing economic instability and disparity (the top one per cent hold 54 per cent of global wealth in 2025, up from 43 per cent in 2005), conjuring images of the gluttonous feasts that persisted during Rome's decline or the gilded excess of Versailles before the French Revolution. So, there we have it: billions in tangible economic boosts from event weddings versus the long-term risks to societal cohesion and trust with the rise in wealth disparity and 'elitism' they spotlight. Which effect do you think is more consequential? Kosha Gada is a tech entrepreneur who also serves as a board member of sports betting platform PointsBet. She is a broadcast commentator on US and international current affairs, appearing live three nights a week on Sky News Australia
Otago Daily Times
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Venice protests target lavish Bezos wedding
Mass tourism, impossibly high rents, worker exploitation, inequality and elitism: Venice protests in recent days against Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's high-profile wedding have highlighted growing global grievances. Bezos, 61, the fourth richest person in the world, and 55-year-old journalist Sanchez left their luxury hotel on the Grand Canal on Saturday for a final night of partying, crowning a three-day star-studded wedding extravaganza. The couple exchanged rings on Friday evening on the small island of San Giorgio, across the water from Saint Mark's Square, accompanied by singing from Matteo Bocelli, son of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, Jordan's Queen Rania, Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner and Kim and Khloe Kardashian, as well as Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were among the A-listers present. Saturday's evening bash - wrapping up celebrations for 200 to 250 guests estimated to have cost some $US50 million ($NZ82 million) - was to take place in the Arsenale, a former medieval shipyard in an eastern district of the lagoon city in Italy. Around 1000 people marched against the event on Saturday, groups of activists and residents who object to the wedding and to seeing Venice being gift-wrapped for the uber-wealthy. But local politicians dismissed protesters as a fringe minority. Bezos's fame and Venice's stunning visual backdrop have offered them international visibility which they effectively exploited. "No Space for Bezos" banners draped over the iconic Rialto Bridge and a huge canvas laid out on St Mark's Square urging the tech billionaire to pay more taxes have been seen all over the world. Concerns of greater disruptions forced Bezos and his bride to move their final and biggest celebrity party from the central district to a more isolated venue in the eastern part of the lagoon city. "The idea that the city should be seen as a set, a stage, or an amusement park has been highlighted like never before by Bezos' wedding," Tommaso Cacciari, a frontman for the No Space for Bezos movement, told Reuters. PROTESTS Alice Bazzoli, a 24-year-old university student, called Bezos a "hypocrite" for donating €3 million ($NZ5.8 million) to Venice while flooding its fragile ecosystem with high-polluting private jets and yachts. Bezos and Sanchez have given €1 million each to three Venetian institutions: CORILA, an academic consortium that studies the lagoon, UNESCO's local office, and Venice International University. "I'd love Venice to be tailored for citizens, not for tourists, with affordable housing," Bazzoli told Reuters, complaining that students were being priced out of the market, with the best accommodations offered to visitors. Andrea Segre, a 49-year-old Italian film director born in Venice, said the city was also pushing out ordinary residents. "People aged 25 to 35 - the age group that starts families - cannot afford to live in Venice. The consequence is a lack of diversity and social liveliness." Venice is rapidly depopulating, largely because of the cost of living crisis. Its historic city centre now has fewer than 50,000 residents, compared to more than 100,000 some 50 years ago. The city has hosted scores of other VIP weddings, including that of actor George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in 2014, but the latest luxury nuptials have attracted far greater resentment because of Bezos' corporate and political role. Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has developed ties with United States President Donald Trump. "Bezos is the embodiment of the most absolute wealth gained through the exploitation of everything around you," 28-year-old student Giulia Cacopardo told Reuters in the run-up to Saturday's march. In Italy, the e-commerce giant has faced criticism and strikes from trade unions over labour practices, and scrutiny over tax compliance. Reuters reported in February that Italian prosecutors were investigating alleged tax evasion worth $US1.2 billion. "I would have protested against Bezos even if he had come on a rowboat with just a handful of people ... because he contributed practically, materially and politically to Donald Trump's re-election," protest leader Cacciari said. LAVISH WEDDING At the ceremony the bride wore a high-necked silhouette dress and a tulle and lace veil by Dolce & Gabbana, which she told magazine Vogue was based on Sophia Loren's dress to marry Cary Grant in the 1958 film, Houseboat . Sanchez was also wearing a pair of diamond earrings by Dolce & Gabbana, which, according to Vogue , was lent to her in keeping with the tradition that it brings good luck for a bride to wear something borrowed. Bezos, who is No 4 on Forbes' global billionaires list, donned a black tuxedo and bow tie over a white shirt. Friday's ceremony had no legal status under Italian law, a senior city hall official told Reuters, suggesting the couple may have previously wed legally in the United States to avoid the bureaucracy associated with an Italian marriage. While some residents and activists raged against Bezos as a symbol of inequality and arrogance, Venetian businesses and political leaders welcomed the luxury nuptials, hailing them as major boost for the local economy. "Those who protest are in contradiction with the history of Venice, which is a history of relations, contacts and business," Mayor Luigi Brugnaro told Reuters. "Bezos embodies the Venetian mentality. He is more Venetian than the protesters," the centre-right mayor said. Bezos got engaged to Sanchez in 2023, four years after the collapse of his 25-year marriage to novelist and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
The Star
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Venice protests target Bezos over mounting grievances
ROME (Reuters) -Mass tourism, impossibly high rents, worker exploitation, inequality and elitism: Venice, Italy's protests in recent days against Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's high-profile wedding have highlighted growing global grievances. Local politicians dismissed protesters as a fringe minority. Bezos's fame and Venice's stunning visual backdrop have offered them international visibility which they effectively exploited. "No Space for Bezos" banners draped over the iconic Rialto Bridge and a huge canvas laid out on St Mark's Square urging the tech billionaire to pay more taxes have been seen all over the world. Concerns of greater disruptions forced Bezos and his bride to move their final and biggest celebrity party from the central district to a more isolated venue in the eastern part of the lagoon city. "The idea that the city should be seen as a set, a stage, or an amusement park has been highlighted like never before by Bezos' wedding," Tommaso Cacciari, a frontman for the No Space for Bezos movement, told Reuters. In the final protest on Saturday, around 1,000 residents and activists rallied in front of Venice's train station under a scorching sun, before marching roughly 1.5 kilometres (0.93 miles) to the Rialto Bridge. They carried banners including one proclaiming 'Kisses yes, Bezos no', playing on Venice's reputation as the city of love, and another one saying 'No space for Bezos' with a rocket, in a reference to his Blue Origin space technology company. Venetian businesses and politicians, however, welcomed the event, hailing its major boost for the local economy. Luca Zaia, the regional governor of Veneto around Venice, said the city should be proud of hosting the wedding. TRUMP TIES Alice Bazzoli, a 24-year-old university student, called Bezos a "hypocrite" for donating 3 million euros ($3.5 million) to Venice while flooding its fragile ecosystem with high-polluting private jets and yachts. Bezos and Sanchez have given 1 million euros each to three Venetian institutions: CORILA, an academic consortium that studies the lagoon, UNESCO's local office, and Venice International University. "I'd love Venice to be tailored for citizens, not for tourists, with affordable housing," Bazzoli told Reuters, complaining that students were being priced out of the market, with the best accommodations offered to visitors. Andrea Segre, a 49-year-old Italian film director born in Venice, said the city was also pushing out ordinary residents. "People aged 25 to 35 — the age group that starts families — cannot afford to live in Venice. The consequence is a lack of diversity and social liveliness," he said. Venice is rapidly depopulating, largely because of the cost of living crisis. Its historic city centre now has fewer than 50,000 residents, compared to more than 100,000 some 50 years ago. The city has hosted scores of other VIP weddings, including that of actor George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in 2014, but the latest luxury nuptials have attracted far greater resentment because of Bezos' corporate and political role. The Amazon founder is the world's fourth richest man, and has developed ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, whose daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner were in attendance at the wedding. "Bezos is the embodiment of the most absolute wealth gained through the exploitation of everything around you," 28-year-old student Giulia Cacopardo told Reuters in the run-up to Saturday's march. In Italy, the e-commerce giant has faced criticism and strikes from trade unions over labour practices, and scrutiny over tax compliance. Reuters reported in February that Italian prosecutors were investigating alleged tax evasion worth 1.2 billion. "I would have protested against Bezos even if he had come on a rowboat with just a handful of people ... because he contributed practically, materially and politically to Donald Trump's re-election," protest leader Cacciari said. ($1 = 0.8533 euros) (Writing by Angelo Amante; editing by Alvise Armellini and Diane Craft)
News18
26-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Jeff Bezos And Lauren Sánchez Say No To Wedding Gifts, Instead They Want...
Last Updated: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez will marry this week in Venice, Italy. As Venice braces for one of its most talked-about weddings, all eyes are on Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. But amid the glamour, guest lists, and headlines, the couple has made a thoughtful request – they don't want any gifts. The Amazon founder and his fiancée will get married this week. Ahead of the celebration, the couple sent out invitations with a clear message: 'We are excited for you to join us. We have one early request: please, no gifts." Instead of traditional presents, Bezos and Sánchez have chosen to make donations to three local institutions on behalf of their guests. The contributions will go to the UNESCO Venice Office, CORILA and Venice International University. 'Donations on your behalf are being made to the UNESCO Venice Office to safeguard this city's irreplaceable cultural heritage, to CORILA to restore the vital lagoon habitats that protect Venice's future, and to Venice International University to support research and education for sustainable solutions," it continued. Their note adds: 'The magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories. Our hope is that through these gifts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come." Still, not everyone is thrilled about the scale of the celebration. In the days leading up to the wedding, protest signs have been put up in Venice's historic areas. Locals have voiced concern over disruptions, traffic and the strain of hosting high-profile events in a city already battling overtourism. Originally, the couple had picked Cannaregio for post-wedding celebrations. But reports suggest the plan was changed due to fears of demonstrations. The celebrations have now been shifted to the Arsenale, a historic naval complex in Castello district. Though guests have been asked not to bring gifts, they will receive goody bags from Laguna B, a Murano-based glassware company. While the exact items remain under wraps, sources describe them as 'opulent." The couple is also supporting local vendors wherever possible. Around 80 per cent of the food and other essentials for the wedding are being sourced from Venice-based businesses including the Murano glassware maker Laguna B and the city's oldest pastry maker, Rosa Salva. Bezos and Sánchez got engaged in 2023. Sánchez has three children – Evan and Ella, from her marriage to Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell, and a son, Nikko, from her earlier relationship with former NFL player Tony Gonzalez. Bezos shares four children with his ex-wife, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott including their eldest son, Preston, born in 2000. The names and details of their other children including an adopted daughter, are not public. First Published:
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sánchez Made a Surprising Request to Guests in Their Wedding Invite
This week, one of the most lavish celebrity weddings is about to take place as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos ties the knot with longtime partner Lauren Sánchez. Their wedding, which will take place in Venice, Italy, will surely be an over-the-top event, with A-listers from all over making an appearance. But, ahead of the nuptials, one request from the bride and groom caught us by surprise. More from SheKnows Lauren Sánchez Then & Now: The Best Throwback Photos of Her Through the Years In an early invite obtained by Good Morning America, Bezos and Sánchez specifically ask guests not to give them gifts. He is a billionaire after all, right? 'We are excited for you to join us! We have one early request: please, no gifts,' the message says. 'Instead, we're making contributions in your honor and with gratitude to you for making the journey to celebrate with us in Venice.' 'Donations on your behalf are being made to the UNESCO Venice Office to safeguard this city's irreplaceable cultural heritage, to CORILA to restore the vital lagoon habitats that protect Venice's future, and to Venice International University to support research and education for sustainable solutions,' the invite continues. 'This magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories,' the bride and groom added. 'Our hope is that through these efforts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come.' In addition to the text, the invitation is decorated with illustrations of butterflies, birds, stars, Venetian gondolas and Venice's iconic bridge, the Ponte di Rialto, around the edges. Online, X users have shared their thoughts on the invite. 'Was the invitation made in Microsoft Paint? 😭😭' one user joked. 'What a heartless invite,' another wrote. 'Seems like a business dinner for donors.' 'Just a very elegant way of saying: Yes, we had to bribe the municipality of Venice to host our extravaganza wedding in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage site,' another X user wrote. 'But at least it's for the lagoon 🦋🎭✨.' But their invite isn't the only source of pushback. In the past few days, the wedding has been the center of backlash due to their choice of venue in Venice. Given the city's small size and limited transportation, a major wedding of this size would cause a major disruption. As a result, a movement, named No Space for Bezos, has ignited protests and threatened a blockage on canals around Grande Scuola Misericordia, which is where locals think their wedding party would take place, CNN reports. Following their threats, No Space for Bezos has claimed that Bezos and Sánchez have changed their wedding venue. Per the outlet, locals are guessing that their wedding will be a three-day affair starting on June 26 with a welcome party, then an exchange of vows on the island of San Giorgio on June 27, and a major party on June 28. We'll stay tuned for what actually takes place of SheKnows 39 Times Actresses Totally Transformed For a Role: See Side-by-Side Photos Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sánchez's Full Relationship Timeline 23 Age-Gap Couples Who Met When One of Them Was Still a Child
