Topline
Venice locals are staging protests against Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and the fourth richest man in the world, as his wedding to journalist Lauren Sánchez looms later this month, with a group called “No Space For Bezos” hosting a demonstration Friday afternoon to protest what they fear will be an extravagant display of the billionaire’s wealth.
The "No Space for Bezos" group held a protest against Jeff Bezos' upcoming wedding in Venice on ... More
“No Space for Bezos” hosted a protest at Venice’s Campo San Giacometo town square Friday afternoon, where protesters made speeches in front of large anti-Bezos posters as dozens of onlookers watched.
The protest came one day after the group hung a large poster that said “Bezos” with an “X” through it on the bell tower of Venice’s San Giorgio Maggiore church.
The group posted a video of its members hoisting the poster on the bell tower on Instagram, where it has 1,500 followers.
Across various posts on its Instagram page, the group has criticized Bezos and Venice for hosting a billionaire’s wedding in the city, where organizers say more attention should be given to issues like rising housing costs and low wages.
“No Space for Bezos”—which appears to be a pun on the billionaire’s Blue Origin space company, which recently sent Sánchez to the edge of space alongside Katy Perry and Gayle King—has also hung flyers and sprayed graffiti around the city.
Venice confirmed earlier this year it would host Bezos’ wedding, but city officials claimed the wedding would cause “no abnormal disruption to anyone” and said they are working with wedding organizers to be “absolutely respectful of the fragility and uniqueness of the city.”
"No Space for Bezos" held a protest in Venice on Friday. (Photo by ANDREA PATTARO / AFP) (Photo by ... More
A sticker reading "No Space for Bezos" in Venice. (Photo by ANDREA PATTARO/AFP via Getty Images) ... More
"No Space for Bezos" graffiti in Venice. (Photo by ANDREA PATTARO / AFP) (Photo by ANDREA ... More
A poster reading "No Space for Bezos" in Venice. (Photo by ANDREA PATTARO / AFP) (Photo by ANDREA ... More
Bezos and Sánchez are expected to tie the knot over a three-day celebration later this month, spanning June 24 to June 26, Venetian officials told CNN. Many details about the ceremony remain unknown, but CNN reported the wedding may take place on their $500 million yacht, on which they vacationed off the coast of France last month. The guest list is also not public, though multiple tabloids have speculated about which of the couple’s famous friends may attend, with an unnamed source telling People that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were invited.
Bezos and Sánchez were engaged in May 2023 on his yacht, where he proposed with a large pink diamond ring. The couple went public with their relationship in January 2019, shortly after Bezos announced he and his ex-wife of 25 years, billionaire Mackenzie Scott, were divorcing. Sánchez previously worked as a broadcast journalist and was a regular contributor on shows including The View and Good Day L.A., and she became a licensed helicopter pilot at age 40.
Bezos is worth an estimated $228.4 billion, making him the fourth richest person in the world, according to Forbes estimates. Bezos owns slightly less than 10% of Amazon, which he founded in 1994 and led as CEO until he stepped down in 2021, at which point he became executive chairman. Bezos also founded the space company Blue Origin in 2000, and he owns The Washington Post, which he purchased in 2013.
Venice Will Host Jeff Bezos’ Wedding, City Says—Denying ‘Fake News’ About Event (Forbes)
Jeff Bezos is planning a lavish Venice wedding. But it might not have the best view in town (CNN)