The most extravagant billionaire wedding: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos weds in Venice

The world’s attention turned to Venice, Italy, as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez held what many are calling the "wedding of the century." The three-day celebration brought together some of the richest and most powerful figures from around the globe, turning the historic city into a hotspot of celebrity and luxury.

Jeff Bezos has a net worth of $231 billion, while Lauren Sanchez’s net worth is estimated at $30 million.

The wedding celebrations were estimated to cost between €40 to €48 million ($46.5–55.6 million), according to Reuters. From luxury venues to celebrity-level security, every element was designed on a massive scale. Forbes estimated that even $20 million in confirmed costs makes the event over 600 times more expensive than the average American wedding, which is around $33,000.

Venice, already a destination for romantic tourism, was transformed for the high-profile nuptials. Nearly 200 elite guests flew in by private jets, while yachts filled the city’s canals. Five major hotels were reportedly fully booked, and luxury water taxis were reserved for the couple’s guests. According to the city's tourism councillor, Venice could earn between €20 to €30 million from this one event alone.

Among the high-profile guests were Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Gates, and Queen Rania of Jordan. Venice’s top luxury hotels were fully booked, water taxis were reserved for VIPs, and even private security, allegedly including former US Marines, was arranged to guard the festivities.

Sanchez wore a custom Dolce & Gabbana wedding gown said to have taken 900 hours to make, featuring hand-sewn Italian lace and silk chiffon-covered buttons. 

While the couple celebrated their union in opulence, the wedding drew criticism from local communities and environmental groups. Many Venetians expressed frustration over how parts of the city were blocked off, disrupting daily life. Activist groups also pointed to the contradiction between Bezos's massive wealth and the city's struggle with over-tourism, rising costs of living, and environmental concerns.

Protests erupted near the wedding venues, with citizens demanding that the city prioritize local needs over billionaire celebrations. Some groups raised concerns about the environmental impact of the high-profile gathering, especially in a fragile city already facing challenges like flooding, pollution, and gentrification

Despite the backlash, city officials defended the event, highlighting the boost to the local economy and tourism.