Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, 61, and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez, 55, kicked off their extravagant three-day wedding celebration in Venice, Italy, drawing A-list celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Usher, Tom Brady, and Ivanka Trump, according to AFP.
The luxurious wedding, hosted on a private island in Venice’s lagoon, has sparked mixed reactions. While it mirrors the grandeur of George Clooney’s famous 2014 wedding, locals and environmental activists are voicing concerns over the event’s ecological footprint and the impact of welcoming billionaire gatherings to the historic city.
Paparazzi captured VIP guests arriving via speedboats, including Jordan’s Queen Rania, fashion designer Spencer Antle, and others. The celebrations are expected to conclude with a grand party at the historic Arsenale, a centuries-old Venetian shipyard.
In an effort to give back, Bezos and Sanchez pledged €3 million ($3.5 million) to Venice, supporting local artisans. Party gifts reportedly include traditional 19th-century fishermen’s biscuits from Rosa Salva, and handcrafted Murano glass from Laguna B.
Despite the charitable donations, critics accuse Bezos of turning the UNESCO heritage site into a billionaire’s playground. Concerns also rise over the carbon emissions from mega yachts and private jets swarming Venice for the event.