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Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's extravagant wedding celebrations in Venice have stirred controversy and sparked public protests from environmental and anti-wealth activists. While the billionaire couple prepares for their multimillion-dollar ceremony, local groups accuse them of "privatising" the city and exacerbating existing inequalities.
The three-day wedding, estimated at $48 million, is set to host 200 celebrity guests, including Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, Ivanka Trump, and Katy Perry. Events are reportedly taking place across several venues including the Aman Venice hotel and possibly the Scuola Grande della Misericordia. Security concerns and "rising global tensions," particularly between the US and Iran, prompted a last-minute venue change to the Arsenale area, said Il Gazzettino.
However, lavish plans have drawn ire from residents and activists. A 65-foot protest banner unfurled in St. Mark's Square by Greenpeace and Everyone Hates Elon read: "You can pay more tax if you can rent Venice for your wedding." Protesters condemned the city's partial closures and questioned the couple's impact on locals. "He is basically going to treat the whole city as a private ballroom... as if the citizens are not there," said Alice Bazzoli from No Space for Bezos.
Another activist, Federica Toninelli, said, "This is not what Venice needs. This is not what a city that is already suffering from overtourism needs." She added, "It's going to bring money, yes, but we are not going to see any money." Protesters linked the event to broader issues, including housing shortages and dwindling local populations.
Despite the backlash, Bezos' planners, Lanza and Baucina, have insisted they are "minimizing any disruption" and using 80% of services from local vendors, such as Rosa Salva pastry shop and Murano glassmakers. Veneto's regional president, Luca Zaia, downplayed the tensions, noting, "This is a city that handles 150,000 people a day."
The couple has imposed strict NDAs for guests, hired former U.S. soldiers for security, and reportedly reserved 30 elite water taxis and multiple gondolas. Bezos' $500 million yacht, Koru, is already docked in the Adriatic Sea.
While the exact wedding date and location remain unconfirmed, one protestor summarized public sentiment: "Do we want to live in the city like normal people, or sell it to the best offer?"
