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Elle
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
How Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos's Years-Long Whirlwind Romance Led to Marriage
THE RUNDOWN In June 2025, Jeff Bezos married his partner of six years, Lauren Sánchez, and it was a massive event. The pair had a whirlwind start to their relationship, announcing they were together days after Bezos publicly separated from his ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott. Sánchez was also going through a separation and divorce, but the drama around their beginning did not stop the pair from enjoying life and love all over the world. Aside from making appearances on stunning vacation after stunning vacation, the couple is very private and rarely speak about one another. But a few quotes have been shared, especially around their wedding. Here's their complete relationship history so far. The pair reportedly first met in 2016 through Sánchez's ex-husband, Patrick Whitesell, at an Apple release party for the movie Manchester by the Sea hosted by Matt Damon and Bezos. Bezos hired Sánchez's company, Black Ops Aviation, in 2018 to cover footage for his space travel company, Blue Origin. They were photographed that month taking a helicopter ride in Santa Monica, California, though the photos were not shared until after they announced their relationship. Bezos announced his divorce from MacKenzie Scott in January 2019. The former couple was married for 25 years and share four children. 'As our family and close friends know, after a long period of loving exploration and trial separation, we have decided to divorce and continue our shared life as friends,' Bezos wrote on X. In April that year, Sánchez initiated a divorce from her husband of 14 years, Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell, with whom she shares two children. The same day as his X statement, People spoke with a source who said, 'Lauren and Jeff have been spending a lot of time together over the last year and especially the past few months. At first, it was socially at parties…here and there. But their time together has definitely seemed to evolve, raising some eyebrows. Jeff has met a small group of Lauren's girlfriends, too. The two of them are sort of thick as thieves right now.' The source added, 'Patrick and Lauren have been on and off for a while and have been separated. [Patrick] knew they were seeing each other.' A few weeks later, another source told People, 'They are very much together and are planning to move in together.' Bezos and Sánchez were seen in public for the first time since the January drama, enjoying a date in New York City, according to People. 'Both Jeff and Lauren have been focused on their kids for the last several months,' a source said. 'Any relationship had to be on the back burner for that reason. Now that each has reached a divorce settlement, they thought the time was right to finally date like regular people.' They enjoyed some PDA at the Men's Finals Day of the Wimbledon tennis championships that July. Sánchez turned 50 in December, and Page Six reported that Bezos threw her two birthday parties: an 'intimate dinner for family,' and a 'huge bash' for all their friends. Attendees included Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Scooter Braun, Barry Diller, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Timothée Chalamet. 'Jeff and Lauren looked happier than ever,' said a source. On one of their many trips, they visited the Taj Mahal. A source close to the couple alleged they were taking an interest in philanthropy to People in January 2021. 'Both Jeff and Lauren are really energized by the work they are doing in philanthropy,' the source said. 'It's been a focus and bright spot for them, particularly over the last year.' Sánchez greeted Bezos when he returned from his first trip to space. The couple attended the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles. A viral clip of the event showed Sánchez chatting with actor Leonardo DiCaprio, while Bezos stood by her side. Bezos seemed to find the moment funny, writing on X, 'Leo, come over here, I want to show you something… @LeoDiCaprio.' That same month, they went to the Baby2Baby Gala in West Hollywood. In 2022, Bezos gushed about his future wife, saying to to CNN, 'Lauren is the most generous, most big-hearted person that you would ever meet. She is an inspiration in that way at every level. She is generous with somebody she just meets, she's generous with every person, and she's generous in the large too.' Sánchez made a very rare comment on her relationship in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. 'We love to be together, and we love to work together,' she shared. 'We fly together. We work out together. We're together all the time' She said of the Amazon founder, 'He's really funny. He makes me laugh all the time. He can be goofy.' They attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party together. Bezos proposed to Sánchez in May on his yacht, according to People, while in the south of France after attending the premiere of Killers of the Flower Moon at the Cannes Film Festival. 'He proposed last week,' said a source. 'They're on cloud nine—so happy and madly in love. Her engagement ring is beyond stunning. And huge! She keeps playing with it and looking at it. You can tell she loves it.' That same month, Sánchez was honored at This Is About Humanity's 5th Anniversary Soirée and mentioned Bezos in her acceptance speech. 'I want to thank each and every one of you for coming out here today, and I want to thank you all for supporting This is About Humanity,' Sánchez said. 'Thank you, and Jeff, I just want to say thank you for inspiring me to go out into the world and make a difference.' They hosted a massive engagement party at Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg's Beverly Hills home, according to Vogue, with their close friends. The event was attended by Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek Pinault, Barbra Streisand, Kris Jenner, Sarah Staudinger, Robert Pattinson, Suki Waterhouse, and Miranda Kerr. In a now-deleted Instagram post, Sánchez celebrated Bezos on his 60th birthday. '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 at the time. 'May this year be filled with everything you love, from peaceful mornings to joyous celebrations.' Sánchez continued, '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. ❤️🤍❤️' The couple attended the White House state dinner. Sánchez shared some plans for the wedding on Today, saying, 'I have to say, I do have a Pinterest—I'm just like every other bride, so I do have a Pinterest board." Bezos and Sánchez were married on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy, on June 27, 2025. According to CNN, there were 200 guests on the list, including most of the Kardashian and Jenner family, as well as Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble. Other celebs at the ceremony were Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, Sydney Sweeney, Ellie Goulding, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, and Bill Gates. Sanchez wore a custom gown by Dolce & Gabbana with a corset bodice, long train, and lace sleeves. Bezos wore a classic black tuxedo. After the reception, guests went on to party at the Gritti Palace, according to a report from TMZ. Ellie Goulding sung a number of songs for guests, and Andrea Bocelli's son, Matteo, sang for the group as well. In an interview with Vogue ahead of her wedding, Sánchez spoke about how she isn't the same person she was before dating Bezos. 'I went into a lot of therapy and it's changed me in a bunch of ways. But it's really Jeff,' she said. 'Jeff hasn't changed me. Jeff has revealed me. I feel safe. I feel seen. He lets me be me. Like I said about Sophia Loren being unapologetically free, he lets me be unapologetically free.' She added of Bezos, 'I'm happy that I'm getting married and I get to spend my life with my best friend, someone who sees me, someone who adores me, someone who I adore. I am the luckiest woman on the planet.'
Graziadaily
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Graziadaily
Inside Lauren Sanchez And Jeff Bezos Honeymoon And Life Together
The summer wedding season kicked off with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his journalist-cum-business founder bride Lauren Sánchez's €40 million (£34.4m) Venice nuptials, which commandeered the last weekend of June. The three-day affair saw the world heritage site under siege from more than 200 celebrities arriving in 90 private jets and was objected to by climate change protestors, who covered the city in 'No space for Bezos' banners and threatened to fill the canals with inflatable crocodiles. When you're the third richest man in the world, however, a few protests are hardly going to get in the way of a party. Bezos and Sánchez's wedding was a spectacle to behold, but it was also the start of their bid to establish themselves as a billionaire power couple. Despite a hazy origin story – Sánchez, 55, reportedly started dating Bezos, 61, in 2019 after her company, Black Ops Aviation, was hired to film his Blue Origin rocket launches while she was married to Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell and Bezos was married to Amazon co-founder MacKenzie Scott – the couple has slowly found their footing. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos kiss in Venice on day three of their wedding celebrations. (Photo: Getty) Once their respective divorces were announced, they embarked on a whirlwind romance that saw them yachting and jet-setting around the world and regularly pictured with A-list friends like Katy Perry and Usher, before getting engaged in 2023. Sánchez's relationship with Bezos has taken her to new heights – and we're not just talking about her 11-minute joy ride to space in April. It made sense, then, for Sánchez to make her debut on the (digital) cover of Vogue the same weekend; another sign of how she plans to develop her personal brand. It was Sánchez's second appearance in the magazine after her joint interview and cowboy-coded photo shoot with Bezos was mercilessly lambasted online in December 2023. This time, she swapped a white tank top for her Sophia Loren-inspired Dolce & Gabbana wedding gown, which took 900 hours of atelier work. Stefano Gabbana claims the brief was 'very classic' and 'elegant' as Sanchez 'didn't want to do something very flashing or bling bling'. While Bezos and Sánchez have always had friends in high places, it's fair to say their brand as a couple has rarely been touted as 'demure'. Their pre-wedding foam party on Bezos's $500 million (£364m) Koru yacht did little to help the cause. However, from her Vogue cover to a wedding guest list that included Ivanka Trump, Oprah, Leonardo DiCaprio, and the Kardashians, this is seemingly something Sánchez wants to shift – positioning herself as the First Lady of Big Tech in the process. Her bridal look was indicative of such. Opting for a high-neckline and minimal make-up, she declared, 'This is part of the evolution. I want it as natural as you can get. […] It is a departure from what people expect, from what I expect – but it's very much me.' The marriage will see Sánchez take on more responsibility at Amazon Towers, particularly in the realm of philanthropy, where she is already vice chairperson of the Bezos Earth Fund. The fund is dedicated to 'fighting climate change and the protection of nature, as well as early childhood education, programming, and housing support', according to its website. The couple also pledged to donate €3m (£2.5m) to three Venetian institutions, including UNESCO's local office, on behalf of their wedding guests. Not before they honeymoon all summer on Bezos's yacht, though, which is estimated to produce more than 7,000 tons of greenhouse gases every year. The newlyweds reportedly soothed their post-wedding blues by sailing across Italy to the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Sicily, which hosted the second season of The White Lotus. The Royal Suite, where Jennifer Coolidge's character stayed in the hit TV show, costs a cool $18,000 (£13k) per night – a drop in the ocean for a couple now collectively worth more than $237 billion (£173bn). They will then be returning home to Indian Creek Island in Florida, known as the 'billionaire bunker', where they own three properties worth a total of $173 million (£126m). Bezos's most recent 10-acre purchase is currently under construction to accommodate their blended family. Sánchez has three children – one with former NFL star Tony Gonzalez, age 24, and two with Whitesell, aged 19 and 17 – while Bezos shares four children with Scott. In the affluent enclave, the family rub shoulders with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, billionaire Norman Braman and model Adriana Lima. Oh, to be the richest couple in the world, where brazen contradictions of character are immaterial and the sky's the limit – literally.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
'Billionaire Bunker': How Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez live in Florida's elite enclave
The name alone is enough to draw interest: 'Billionaire Bunker', home to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. Known by its proper name, Indian Creek, the Florida village is a 300-acre island in Biscayne Bay with about 30 homes, an ultra-exclusive country club, and a golf course. The location is recognized as one of the richest neighborhoods in the United States. Bezos, who was recently in Venice, Italy for his multimillion-dollar wedding to Sanchez, bought three homes in south Florida's 'Billionaire Bunker' in a span of just nine months. According to a June 25, 2025 story on the founder of private space company Blue Origin "now owns three pricey places on Indian Creek Island — the third he picked up for a reported $90 million in 2024. According to reports, he plans to raze the other two properties — which he picked up for a combined $147 million — and live in the most recent purchase while awaiting construction to be completed." What do the homes on that private island near Miami Beach, Florida look like? And who lives there? Below are things to know about Indian Creek Village and its high-profile residents. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Lauren Sanchez, a mother of three, and Jeff Bezos began dating in 2019. According to her bio on Blue Origin's site, the licensed helicopter pilot founded Black Ops Aviation, the first female-owned and operated aerial film and production company. She released her New York Times bestselling debut children's book, "The Fly Who Flew to Space," in 2024. Sanchez and Bezos live in the exclusive community near Miami Beach. Blue Origin has a facility near NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. In 2025, the space agency launched its mega rocket, New Glenn, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. When did Jeff Bezos buy his houses in Indian Creek Village? In August 2023, Bezos reportedly bought a waterfront estate in 'Billionaire Bunker' for $68 million. A few months later, in October 2023, Bezos bought his second home in the neighborhood for $79 million. It was a seven-bedroom, 14-bathroom mansion set on 1.84 acres, according to Bloomberg. The owner, who originally listed the home for $85 million, filed a lawsuit against the brokerage that made the deal. Wealthiest communities in Florida: 40 celebrities and athletes who call Jupiter home In an April 2, 2024, Seattle Times story, Bezos "agreed to pay about $90 million in an off-market transaction for a six-bedroom home in the Miami-area enclave, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Bezos plans to live there while he tears down the other houses he bought on the island, said one of the people." Which celebrities live or have lived in 'Billionaire Bunker'? These multimillionaires and billionaires currently or formerly call the area home: What is security like there? A video originally posted Oct. 26, 2017, gives a peek into "America's most secure community" with the Indian Creek Village Police Department in Miami. "Nothing is ever routine," Officer Jeremy Martinez says in the clip. "These are the most powerful people in the world, so you're dealing with the most powerful people in the world. On the flip of that, you know, my interactions with most of the people have been pleasant." In the 2017 video, Martinez adds: "The times I have spoken to most of the residents out here, they're pretty down to earth, which you wouldn't really typically think they are because they're mostly billionaires or multimillionaires." "As far as crime goes on the island, we really don't have much crime on the island itself," he said. Martinez jokes that a newspaper article once labeled the police department as "butlers with badges." But policing the area is anything but simple. Policework and its obvious dangers are magnified for their marine officers. The video below gives a glimpse into patrolling the community. Some quick tidbits, according to the Indian Creek Village Police Department video and its website: Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
Cosmopolitan
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Lauren Sánchez Bezos's net worth decoded after lavish wedding to Jeff Bezos in Venice
It was quite the spectacle – but of course, we wouldn't expect anything less from a wedding featuring one of the richest people in the world. The glitterati, super wealthy and power players all descended on Venice for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's (now Sánchez Bezos) wedding, with the controversial three-day extravaganza on the receiving end of criticism from locals and activists calling out 'over-tourism' in an increasingly delicate ecosystem and accusations levelled at Amazon over the amount (or lack) of corporation tax the company pays. Despite the naysayers and critics (who also were scathing about the sheer level of wealth needed to effectively hire a city at your disposal), Bezos and Sánchez married in an 'intimate' ceremony with just 200 guests at the San Giorgio Maggiore Basilica church on one of Venice's nearby islands. The ceremony was just one of many events (with a pre-wedding foam party on a super yacht and a 'dolce notte' sleepover also parts of the nuptial extravaganza). But now the pair have officially tied the knot, it left us wondering what space-travelling, book-writing former news anchor Sanchez's net worth might be – both before and after her big day? After all, she had a successful career in her own right before meeting Bezos – so we dug a little deeper to find out more… A formidable power player in her own right, Sánchez, 55, has been an established journalist in California since the 1990s. As well as working as a news anchor (which saw her land a bit-part in 1999 cult classic Fight Club), Sánchez was the original host of FOX's popular dancing competition So You Think You Can Dance (she left after just one season to have her first child and went on to be replaced by Cat Deeley). Alongside her onscreen career, in 2016, Sánchez earned a pilot license, which then led to the formation of her production company, Black Ops Aviation – an endeavour which allows her to fly planes and helicopters for television programmes and films that may require one. She even served as a consultant on Christopher Nolan's Oscar-winning 2017 film, Dunkirk. 'We came from nothing,' she told The Hollywood Reporter about the venture back in 2017. 'I used to sleep in the back of my grandmother's car when she would clean houses, and I've been fortunate enough to have a career. 'Working is part of my DNA. I enjoy it, and now I want to give back.' Her brother, Michael, however disputes this version of their upbringing and economic background, telling The Times 'Our parents were successful and wealthy,' and that their grandmother owned a restaurant and a race horse. In addition to this, Sánchez has also written her own children's book, based on her experience with school and dyslexia. The Fly Who Flew to Space is a story about a fly named Flynn, who struggles academically but somehow ends up in the cockpit of a rocket. Upon its release in 2024, it debuted at the top of the New York Times Bestsellers list, and likely contributed to her significant net worth (pop culture fans may also remember that Sánchez was one of the many celebrity passengers on the Blue Origin's New Shephard programme earlier this year). We also have to point towards Sánchez's first marriage; having wed Hollywood agent and founding partner of Endeavor talent agency Patrick Whitesell in 2005, the pair divorced in 2019 after she met Bezos. TMZ reports the pair had a prenup, with Whitesell thought to be worth $100 million (around £72 million) at the time. With these numerous avenues of income, multiple sources have suggested that Sánchez's net worth before the marriage to Bezos was around $30 million (£21 million) – not too shabby at all. While there has been no official word on whether the pair have decided to hash out a financial agreement before the lavish big day, with Bezos thought to be worth a staggering $237 billion (£194 billion), it's likely there would have been something put in place. Bezos famously did not have a prenup with his ex, philanthropist Mackenzie Scott. The pair, who were married for 25 years, got divorced in 2019 – with Scott receiving a 25% stake in Amazon (believed to translate into around $35 billion, or £29.9 million). Scott vowed to give away most of her wealth, and has since parted ways with She has given away more than $19 billion (£13.7 billion) in donations to charitable causes though her Yield Foundation. Naturally, there is no official number out there, but a ceremony this big and this grand is a multi-million dollar affair (after all, with Lady Gaga and Elton John reportedly performing, it was hardly going to be a cut-price do). Venice regional governor Luca Zaia originally estimated the cost between €20 million-€30 million, (£17 million to £25 million) in an article published by Reuters. After a last-minute venue change because of security concerns and risk of protests, this estimate later jumped to €40 million-€48 million (£34 million to £41 million). Kimberley Bond is a Multiplatform Writer for Harper's Bazaar, focusing on the arts, culture, careers and lifestyle. She previously worked as a Features Writer for Cosmopolitan UK, and has bylines at The Telegraph, The Independent and British Vogue among countless others.
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Who is Lauren Sanchez? All you need to know about Jeff Bezos' new wife
Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos concluded their extravagant three-day wedding on Saturday in Venice. The couple celebrated in the Arsenale, a former medieval shipyard. Sanchez, 55, catapulted into the global spotlight in 2019 when she began dating the Amazon founder. Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos celebrated their wedding in Venice, attended by celebrities. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane (REUTERS) {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} Fast forward to 2025, her Dolce & Gabbana gown for her wedding with Jeff Bezos is the talk of the town once again. With details still emerging about the newlyweds' special ceremony, here's all you need to know about the new bride in town. About Lauren Sanchez: Early life and kids {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} Sanchez is an Emmy Award-winning former journalist. She was born in New Mexico in 1969. She attended El Camino College, followed by the University of Southern California. At that time, she was known as Wendy Sánchez, as per her alma mater's website. Lauren Sanchez started her career at Phoenix's KTVK-TV and went on to work as a reporter for Extra, an entertainment program. She also held several positions at Fox Sports Net. As per the Cincinnati Enquirer, she received an Emmy nomination for her work on the news magazine series Goin' Deep. She was awarded an Emmy in 1999 for hosting UPN News 13 with her KCOP-TV team. The former journalist was also the original host of the dancing reality show So You Think You Can Dance. {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} Lauren Sanchez became a licensed helicopter pilot after she turned 40. She established the first female-owned aerial film production company - Black Ops Aviation - in 2016. The 55-year-old became one of the six female passengers who went to the edge of space in Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin NS-31 rocket. The journey lasted around 10 minutes. Sanchez also wrote a children's book in 2024 called The Fly Who Flew to Space. {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} Lauren Sanchez became a licensed helicopter pilot after she turned 40. She established the first female-owned aerial film production company - Black Ops Aviation - in 2016. The 55-year-old became one of the six female passengers who went to the edge of space in Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin NS-31 rocket. The journey lasted around 10 minutes. Sanchez also wrote a children's book in 2024 called The Fly Who Flew to Space. {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} The author has three kids. She welcomed her eldest son, Nikko, with former NFL player Nikko Tony Gonzalez. Lauren Sanchez also has two kids, son Evan and daughter Ella, with ex-husband Patrick Whitesell. {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} The author has three kids. She welcomed her eldest son, Nikko, with former NFL player Nikko Tony Gonzalez. Lauren Sanchez also has two kids, son Evan and daughter Ella, with ex-husband Patrick Whitesell. {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} Also read: How many children does Jeff Bezos have? All on Amazon founder and Lauren Sanchez's blended family of 9 Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' wedding {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} Also read: How many children does Jeff Bezos have? All on Amazon founder and Lauren Sanchez's blended family of 9 Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' wedding {{/usCountry}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} The three-day Venetian extravaganza was attended by celebrities like Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and more. Dubbed the wedding of the century, the entire event cost between 40 and 48 million Euros, as per USA Today. FAQs Does Tony Gonzalez have a child with Lauren Sanchez? {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} Yes, the former couple have one son- Nikko. How long was Jeff Bezos with Lauren Sanchez? The couple have been together since 2019. Was Lauren Sanchez married before Jeff Bezos? Yes, she was married to Patrick Whitesell, an entertainment executive. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
