Jeff Bezos's Wedding Sparks Local Backlash in Venice
Residents voice discontent over high-profile event
Local residents in Venice express disapproval toward Jeff Bezos' wedding plans
Venice, a city renowned for its romantic gondolas and canals, is under the spotlight again, but not for its usual charm. The billionaire Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, who is set to marry journalist Lauren Sanchez in a grand Venetian celebration from June 24 to 26, is facing local opposition.
Unwelcome Guest
The discontent brewing among residents is evident through a massive banner, adorned with an X over Bezos's name, hung on a belltower overlooking the Venice lagoon. The "No Space for Bezos" collective, responsible for the banner, stated bluntly on social media, "He's not welcome, not in Venice, not anywhere!" [1]
Bezos, also the owner of space travel company Blue Origin, earned further criticism for their all-female flight in April, which faced a public backlash due to its high cost and environmental impact.
The anti-Bezos group, whose posters and stickers have been scattered across the city, has called for a public assembly to rally opposition. They argue, "Venice is a living city, not a place to rent to the highest bidder." [1]
Economic Boost or Disruption?
While Venice's mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, has welcomed the couple's decision, citing the economic revenue the event might generate [1], doubts persist. Critics question the ability of the city, a UNESCO-listed site, to handle the event without causing disruption to its residents and visitors.
City hall has, however, sought to quell these concerns, asserting that only 200 people are on the guest list and the event will cause "no disruption whatsoever to the city, its residents, and visitors." [1]
Five hotels and the entire fleet of water taxis have been reserved for the occasion. Additionally, Bezos's megayacht will be moored in the city, and the wedding ceremony might take place aboard the vessel, although its location remains undisclosed [1].
In the past, high-profile events, such as George Clooney's 2014 wedding, have brought crowds and attention, but the atmosphere ahead of Bezos's nuptials appears more tense.
[References]1. ABC News. (2025, May 15). Venice residents protest Jeff Bezos's wedding. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/venice-residents-protest-jeff-bezos-wedding-722736982. The Guardian. (2025, May 15). Jeff Bezos's Venice wedding could bring millions but local residents fear disruption. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/may/15/jeff-bezos-venice-wedding-could-bring-millions-but-local-residents-fear-disruption
- Despite Venice's reputation for historic charm, the upcoming wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, renowned for its association with celebrities and pop- culture, has stirred controversy, prompting locals to advocate against the high-profile event.
- The anti-Bezos collective, driven by concerns about disruption and the commercialization of Venice, argues that the city is more than just a location for entertainment and a backdrop for celebrities, but a living city that should not be used as a venue for law-makers and entrepreneurs to display their wealth.
- As preparations for the wedding in Venice continue, the event, with its association with Italian law, has provoked a divide between those who view it as a potential economic boost and those who fear the disruption it may cause to the city's unique character and delicate ecosystem.
