Bezos' Century Wedding in Venice Met with Applause and Protest

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez kicked off their three-day "wedding of the century" in Venice, Italy, starting June 26th. The couple tied the knot on the 27th on a small island, with wealthy elites attending the lavish ceremony, far away from the sights and sounds of protesting crowds.

According to AFP and other reports, an enchanted Bezos previously told the media as he cruised the Venetian canals, "This city is simply incredible! It shouldn’t exist, but it’s right here!"

But protesters had a different perspective, questioning how much more Venice could bear. While billionaires partied, activists said the fragile city is sinking, suffering from overtourism, and that rising rents are forcing locals out, leading to a shrinking population.

A beam of green neon light was projected onto the St. Mark's Campanile on the evening of the 26th, reading "No kings, no Bezos."

61-year-old Bezos and 55-year-old Sánchez arrived in Venice via helicopter on the 25th, and checked into the luxury Aman hotel.

On the evening of the 27th, Sánchez posted a photo on Instagram showing her in a flowing white dress, while Bezos wore a black suit with a black bow tie. She didn’t mention the location.

According to Italian media, the newlyweds exchanged vows and tied the knot on the 27th local time at San Giorgio Maggiore Island.

Trump Declined to Attend

It is reported that Bezos invited Trump to the wedding, but Trump declined, citing schedule conflicts.

Paparazzi captured moments of guests boarding yachts for the event, including Queen Rania of Jordan, François-Henri Pinault (CEO of French luxury conglomerate Kering), American football star Tom Brady, American singer Usher, and US President Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband Kushner.

The celebrity guest list also included Leonardo DiCaprio, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, British actor Orlando Bloom, talk show host Oprah, among others.

Nearly 1 Billion Euros in Revenue for Venice

Some protesters viewed this as yet another example of Venice being packaged and gifted to foreign super-rich elites, while others enjoyed the spectacle and its economic stimulation.

Some believe that Bezos' wedding brought significant economic benefits. On the 27th, the Italian Ministry of Tourism stated that the event is expected to bring nearly 1 billion euros in revenue to the city.

Bezos is one of the world’s leading billionaires; his company is often scrutinized for its treatment of employees.

Protesters held signs in English and Italian reading, "In the time it takes to read this sentence, Bezos has made more than your monthly salary."

Additionally, environmentalists pointed out the carbon footprint left by these superyachts and at least 95 private jets.