Bezos wedding invites protests in Venice : NPR
Activists organize a demonstration in Venice, Italy on Saturday, June 28, 2025, denouncing three -day celebrations for the marriage between Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos which took place in Venice.
Antonio Calanni / AP / AP
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Antonio Calanni / AP / AP
Venice, Italy – Hundreds of demonstrators paraded in the central streets of Venice on Saturday to say “no” to the billionaire Jeff Bezos, his bride and their highly anticipated marriage, who reached his third and last day in the celebrity holidays and the most tired residents.
Friday, the richest fourth man in the world and his bride Lauren Sanchez Bezos made the knot during a private ceremony with around 200 famous guests on the isolated island of San Giorgio.
The marriage, however, has angry many Venetians, some activists who protest it as an exploitation of the city by billionaire Bezos, while ordinary residents suffer from surprised, high housing costs and constant threat of the floods induced by the climate.
While the two newlyweds were preparing for the last party on Saturday evening, hundreds of Venetians and demonstrators from all of Italy filled the small streets of Venice with colored banners reading “Kisses yes, Bezos no” and “No Bezos, no War”. Venice has around 50,000 residents.
The demonstration contrasts with the expensive bonanza of marriage, considered by criticism as an affront to the fragile environment of the city of Lagon and its citizens, overwhelmed by crowds of tourists.
“We are here to continue to ruin the plans of these rich, 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 demonstration had forced the relocation of the festival on Saturday of an initial location supposed to a former medieval shipyard, the arsenale.
Bezos donated 1 million euros (1.17 million dollars) each to three environmental research organizations working to preserve Venice, according to Corila, the Vennetian Environmental Research Association.
But many demonstrators paraded this decision as a clear attempt to appease angry residents.
“We want a free Venice, which is finally dedicated to its citizens. … These donations are only a misery and targeting only the conscience of Bezos,” said Flavio Cogo, a Venetian activist who joined the demonstration on Saturday.
The details of the exclusive wedding ceremony on Friday evening were a closely kept secret, until Sánchez Bezos has on Instagram a photo of her radiating in a white dress while she was standing alongside a Bezos dressed in tuxedo.
The athletes, celebrities, influencers and business leaders have converged to revel in the extravagance that testified as much about the love of the couple as their extraordinary wealth.
The list of star guests included Oprah Winfrey and the Grand Tom Brady, as well as the Hollywood stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Orlando Bloom, the technological entrepreneur and philanthrope Bill Gates and the best socialities, 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 kisses the press.
“The planet burns but do not worry, here is the list of the 27 dresses by Lauren Sánchez,” read a protest slogan, a reference to the wardrobe of the married wedding weekend. It included a wedding dress lined with mermaid by Dolce & Gabbana and other looks inspired by Dolce Vita by Italian designers, including Schiaparelli and Bottega Veneta.
The city administration has strongly defended the wedding in accordance with the tradition of Venice as an open city which has welcomed the popes, emperors and ordinary visitors for centuries.
