Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez Marry in Star-Studded Venice Ceremony Amid Local Protests

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez celebrated their highly anticipated wedding in Venice, Italy, with a lavish ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, attended by numerous celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, and Orlando Bloom. The festivities took place in a vast open-air amphitheater across from St. Mark's Square, featuring performances by Matteo Bocelli and a dinner prepared by renowned chefs. Despite the glamour, the event sparked protests highlighting concerns about Venice's environmental fragility, over-tourism, and depopulation due to soaring rents. The couple and their guests stayed at luxury hotels such as the Aman, Gritti Palace, and St. Regis, underscoring the extravagance of the occasion. Venetian mayor Luigi Brugnaro welcomed the wedding, viewing it as a reaffirmation of Venice's status as a global stage. The wedding underscored the contrast between opulence and local challenges, making it a notable event for the city and beyond.