Locals protest over celebrity spectacle as city braces for global spotlight during tech billionaire’s lavish nuptials
June 21, 2025 – Venice is bracing for an extravagant spectacle as Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and the world’s third-richest man, prepares to wed journalist Laura Sánchez in what has been dubbed the “wedding of the century.” While the event promises glamour and star power, it has also sparked backlash from local residents who accuse the billionaire of turning the historic city into a private playground.
🎭 Glamour Meets Resistance on the Rialto
Although exact details remain under wraps, the three-day celebration is expected to take place sometime between June 23–28, with around 200 elite guests from the worlds of film, fashion, and business. Venice’s Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and regional governor Luca Zaia have hailed the event as a boon to the city’s economy, highlighting the business it brings to gondola operators and boutique hotels.
However, discontent brews among Venetians. Protestors from the “No Space for Bezos” movement have hung banners from the Rialto Bridge, decrying what they see as the commodification of their heritage. “Bezos arrogantly believes he can take over the city and turn it into his own private party venue,” said activist Tommaso Cacciari, threatening peaceful blockades.
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🛶 A City Caught Between Tourism and Tradition
This isn’t the first time Venice has hosted global icons. In 2014, George Clooney’s wedding to Amal Alamuddin transformed the city into Hollywood on the Adriatic. But this time, with overtourism already a sore point and the city recently introducing entry fees for tourists, many locals feel overwhelmed.
Officials have reassured the public that the wedding will not disrupt daily life, emphasizing that guest lists are tightly managed and logistics are under control.
Also Read: Jeff Bezos Spanks Lauren Sánchez Aboard $500M Superyacht Off Cannes Coast-See Pics
💍 A High-Profile Romance
Bezos, 61, and Sánchez, 55, got engaged in 2023, four years after Bezos’ high-profile divorce from MacKenzie Scott, with whom he shares four children. Sánchez, a former TV anchor, was previously married to Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell and also shares a child with NFL player Tony Gonzalez.
With opulence expected and opinions divided, one thing is certain: all eyes are on Venice as it becomes the glittering stage for one of the most talked-about unions of the decade.
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