Latest news with #LaurenSanchezBezos
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘Kisses yes, Bezos No,' protesters say, as Bezos wedding bonanza stirs controversy in Venice
Activists stage a protest in Venice, Italy, Saturday, June 28, 2025, denouncing the three-day celebrations for the wedding between Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos that took place in Venice on Friday as a symbol of rising inequality and disregard for the city's residents. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) VENICE, Italy — Hundreds of protesters marched through Venice's central streets on Saturday to say 'No' to billionaire Jeff Bezos, his bride and their much-awaited wedding extravaganza, which reached its third and final day amid celebrity-crowded parties and the outcries of tired residents. On Friday, the world's fourth-richest man and his bride Lauren Sanchez Bezos tied the knot during a private ceremony with around 200 celebrity guests on the secluded island of San Giorgio. The wedding, however, angered many Venetians, with some activists protesting it as an exploitation of the city by the billionaire Bezos, while ordinary residents suffer from overtourism, high housing costs and the constant threat of climate-induced flooding. As the two newlyweds prepared for the final party Saturday evening, hundreds of Venetians and protesters from across Italy filled Venice's tiny streets with colorful banners reading 'Kisses Yes, Bezos No' and 'No Bezos, no War.' Venice has around 50,000 residents. The demonstration contrasted with the expensive wedding bonanza, seen by critics as an affront to the lagoon city's fragile environment and its citizens, overwhelmed by throngs of tourists. 'We are here to continue ruining the plans of these rich people, who accumulate money by exploiting many other people … while the conditions of this city remain precarious,' said Martina Vergnano, one of the demonstrators. The protest organizers claimed that their planned protest had forced the relocation of Saturday's party from a supposed initial location to a former medieval shipyard, the Arsenale. Bezos donated 1 million euros ($1.17 million) each to three environmental research organizations working to preserve Venice, according to Corila, the Venetian environmental research association. But many protesters blasted the move as a clear attempt to appease angry residents. 'We want a free Venice, which is finally dedicated to its citizens. … Those donations are just a misery and only aimed at clearing Bezos' conscience,' said Flavio Cogo, a Venetian activist who joined Saturday's protest. Details of the exclusive wedding ceremony Friday night were a closely guarded secret, until Sánchez Bezos posted to Instagram a photo of herself beaming in a white gown as she stood alongside a tuxedo-clad Bezos. 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 star-studded guest list included Oprah Winfrey and NFL great Tom Brady, along with Hollywood stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Orlando Bloom, tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates and top socialites, including the Kardashian-Jenner clan. Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and their three children also joined the celebrations. The bride and groom stayed at the Aman Venice hotel on the Grand Canal, where Bezos posed for photos and Sanchez Bezos blew kisses to the press. 'The planet is burning but don't worry, here's the list of the 27 dresses of Lauren Sánchez,' read one protest slogan, a reference to the bride's reported wedding weekend wardrobe. It featured a mermaid-lined wedding gown by Dolce & Gabbana and other Dolce Vita-inspired looks by Italian designers, including Schiaparelli and Bottega Veneta. The city administration has strongly defended the nuptials as in keeping with Venice's tradition as an open city that has welcomed popes, emperors and ordinary visitors alike for centuries. Zampano reported from Rome. Associated Press journalist Niccolò Lupone in Venice contributed to this report. Antonio Calanni And Giada Zampano, The Associated Press
Calgary Herald
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
These are the celebs attending Jeff Bezos' Venice wedding
VENICE, Italy — The Venice wedding bonanza of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos reached its third and final day Saturday after the couple tied the knot a day earlier in front of around 200 celebrity guests in a secluded area of the lagoon city. Article content Details of the much-anticipated wedding ceremony Friday night were kept tightly secret, until Sanchez Bezos 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. Article content Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content Most guests arrived between Thursday and Friday. The star-studded list included names like Oprah Winfrey and NFL great Tom Brady. Article content Article content The bride and groom are staying at the Aman Venice hotel on the Grand Canal, where the groom posed for photos and the bride blew kisses to the press. Article content Article content Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and their three children arrived Wednesday. Article content Other celebrities on the guest list include: Article content — Queen Rania of Jordan arrived in Venice on Thursday for the wedding, but she wasn't accompanied by her spouse, King Abdullah II, the monarch of Jordan. Article content — Kim Kardashian, her sister Khloe and mother Kris Jenner were seen arriving at the Madonna dell'Orto event Thursday evening. Article content — Kylie and Kendall Jenner Article content — Mick Jagger Article content — Leonardo Di Caprio Article content — Orlando Bloom Article content — Bill Gates Article content — Diane von Furstenberg and her husband Barry Diller Article content — Usher Article content — Jewel Kilcher Article content — Sydney Sweeney
National Post
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
These are the celebs attending Jeff Bezos' Venice wedding
VENICE, Italy — The Venice wedding bonanza of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos reached its third and final day Saturday after the couple tied the knot a day earlier in front of around 200 celebrity guests in a secluded area of the lagoon city. Article content Details of the much-anticipated wedding ceremony Friday night were kept tightly secret, until Sanchez Bezos 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. Article content 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. Article content Article content The celebrations are expected to end later Saturday with a large party in a former medieval shipyard, amid high security. Article content Most guests arrived between Thursday and Friday. The star-studded list included names like Oprah Winfrey and NFL great Tom Brady. Article content Here's a look at the who's who of the Bezos-Sanchez Bezos nuptials. Article content The bride and groom are staying at the Aman Venice hotel on the Grand Canal, where the groom posed for photos and the bride blew kisses to the press. Article content Article content Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and their three children arrived Wednesday. Article content Article content Other celebrities on the guest list include: Article content — Queen Rania of Jordan arrived in Venice on Thursday for the wedding, but she wasn't accompanied by her spouse, King Abdullah II, the monarch of Jordan. Article content — Kim Kardashian, her sister Khloe and mother Kris Jenner were seen arriving at the Madonna dell'Orto event Thursday evening. Article content — Orlando Bloom Article content — Bill Gates Article content — Usher Article content — Jewel Kilcher — Sydney Sweeney Article content One group called Extinction Rebellion staged a small protest in St. Mark's Square on Thursday featuring a masked bride and groom and people holding posters decrying climate change and income inequalities.
India Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Lauren Sanchez adds ‘Bezos' to Instagram handle, shares first wedding photo
Lauren Sanchez changed her last name on Instagram to "Lauren Sanchez Bezos" after marrying Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in a lavish and star-studded wedding in Venice. Sanchez, a former news anchor, also changed her Instagram username to "laurensanchezbezos" as she shared the first picture from their wedding. The image shows the couple walking down the aisle with the caption, "06/27/2025".It came shortly after she posted the first picture from their opulent wedding in Venice, other photo on her profile has been archived, leaving only a glimpse of her white gown and one wedding portrait. Take a look at the post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lauren Snchez Bezos (@laurensanchezbezos)She also shared a series of pictures of her special day gown designed by Dolce & Gabbana. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lauren Snchez Bezos (@laurensanchezbezos)Bezos and Sanchez got married on June 27 in a black-tie ceremony held on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The multi-day affair, dubbed by many as the 'wedding of the century,' included a grand welcome dinner followed by the main tech billionaires to reality TV royalty, the guest list was stacked. Attendees included Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Orlando Bloom, Oprah Winfrey, and several other familiar faces. Indian businesswoman Natasha Poonawalla and Indian-origin entrepreneur Mona Patel also made an appearance at the star-studded a new last name, a viral wedding photo, and a fresh Instagram handle, Lauren Sanchez Bezos has clearly stepped into the next chapter, on and off the grid.- EndsTrending Reel
