Background on Jeff Bezos and His Upcoming Wedding
Jeff Bezos, the 61-year-old CEO of Amazon and the fourth-richest person according to Forbes, is set to marry Lauren Sánchez, a 51-year-old former model and television personality. The couple became engaged in 2019, four years after Bezos’ divorce from his wife of 25 years, Mackenzie Scott. Their decision to hold their wedding in Venice follows the trend of other celebrity weddings in this picturesque city, such as George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin’s 2014 nuptials.
Initial Wedding Plans and Concerns
Bezos and Sánchez initially planned to host their reception in Cannaregio, a popular and central area known for its vibrant nightlife. However, security concerns and the possibility of protests led to a change in plans. The couple decided to move their event to a more isolated and less accessible area within Venice.
Protests and Concerns from Local Residents
Local residents and advocacy groups have expressed concerns that the wedding would transform Venice into a private playground for the wealthy, turning its picturesque canals and palazzi into a theme park for the rich. These groups have threatened peaceful protests, including blocking canals, bridges, and narrow streets.
New Wedding Venue and Security Measures
To ensure the safety of the 200-250 VIP guests from the entertainment, political, and financial worlds, Bezos and Sánchez have chosen the Arsenale, a vast 14th-century complex located in the Castello district. The Arsenale, originally a massive shipyard for the Venetian maritime empire, has been restored and now serves as an exhibition space for the Venice Biennale art fair.
The chosen venue is considered more secure than the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, an ancient medieval religious school in Cannaregio. The Arsenale is surrounded by water and becomes inaccessible when the connecting bridges are raised, making it a safer location for the event.
Reactions from Local Officials and Celebrity Guests
Tommaso Cacciari, leader of the “No Space for Bezos” campaign, expressed satisfaction with the change in venue, stating that moving away from Misericordia is a victory for their cause. The campaign aims to oppose the perceived elitism of Bezos’ wedding in Venice.
Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto region that includes Venice, defended the wedding by highlighting its economic benefits. He noted that the 90 private planes transporting guests to nearby airports would generate up to €48 million (approximately $55.69 million) for local businesses.
In related news, Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, who were vacationing in Tuscany, reportedly visited Ferrari’s manufacturing facilities en route to Bezos’ Venice wedding.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Jeff Bezos? Jeff Bezos is the 61-year-old CEO of Amazon and the fourth-richest person in the world according to Forbes.
- Why is Bezos getting married in Venice? Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, decided to hold their wedding in Venice following the trend of other celebrity weddings in this picturesque city.
- What are the concerns of local residents and advocacy groups? Local residents and advocacy groups are worried that the wedding will transform Venice into a private playground for the wealthy, disrupting the city’s charm and character.
- What is the new wedding venue, and why was it chosen? The couple has moved their event to the Arsenale, a secure and less accessible location within Venice. The Arsenale is a restored 14th-century complex that now serves as an exhibition space for the Venice Biennale art fair.
- What are the reactions from local officials and celebrity guests? Local officials, like Luca Zaia, have defended the wedding by emphasizing its economic benefits. Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner reportedly visited Ferrari’s manufacturing facilities en route to Bezos’ Venice wedding.
