Billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, TV journalist Lauren Sanchez, are set to get married next week in Venice, Italy. The wedding is expected to be a grand, star-studded celebration, but not everyone is happy about it.
Why Are Locals Angry?
Some Venice residents are upset about the large wedding, fearing it will disturb daily life and tourism in the city. Many locals believe the event will lead to traffic, noise, and crowding in an already fragile city.
Earlier this week, local protestors were seen holding signs like “No space for Bezos” near important landmarks in Venice. They also accused city officials of caring more about the rich and famous than the actual people who live there.
One protestor, Federica Toninello, said, “They should be the ones ashamed. These are the people who have ruined our city.”
Wedding Details and Public Reactions
Jeff Bezos proposed to Sanchez in May 2023 with a 30-carat pink diamond ring, reportedly worth $3–5 million. In March 2025, Venice officials confirmed the city would host their wedding, with the mayor promising that the event would be handled carefully to protect Venice’s delicate environment.
Sanchez recently shared her excitement about the upcoming wedding, even saying she’s been using Pinterest like any bride to plan her dress. Bezos, on the other hand, joked that he hasn’t been involved in the planning at all, saying, “Oh, God, no. Do I look that dumb?” according to a past Vogue interview.
Even though most wedding details are still a secret, it’s clear that the couple’s celebration is already causing quite a stir in Venice. More protests are expected during the event.
