Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding run-up has been controversial at best, and now that people have realized just how much the Venice event has cost, they’re all saying the same thing.
The pre-wedding bliss has likely been anything but positive for the Amazon founder after the couple were bashed to high heavens in the last week after social media users criticised their wedding choices and invite illustrations.
The 61-year-old held his nuptials with journalist beau in Venice, Italy, this weekend years after the pair announced their engagement. Having dated for around five years prior to saying ‘I do’, we all knew that this was going to be a lavish event.
As this is the second time the pair have found love, with mum-of-three Sanchez, previously married to Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell and Bezos married before to philanthropist MacKenzie Scott with four children, you might have thought this would be a humble wedding.
Wrong.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding cost sparked controversy (STEFANO RELLANDINI / Contributor / Getty Images)
The couple have splashed the cash and gone all out, despite having to change their venue last-minute after protesters threatened to release inflatable crocodiles into the canal as punishment for him allegedly renting out the city for his flashy wedding.
Even though a lot of the information hasn’t been revealed to the public, the invite was leaked to ABC News, leading to people slamming the letter, which is adorned with cartoon images of butterflies, birds and feathers.
“Looks like a 10-year-old birthday invite,” one said.
“It looks like it’s been made in Windows 7 Paint,” another added.
Anyway, with the guest list supposedly including the likes of Ivanka Trump, the Kardashian clan and even actor Orlando Bloom.
Of course, with so many A-listers, there’s no doubt going to be a lot of money spent on the event.
But when it was revealed that it’s costing between $10 and $20 million, which is $50,000 per guest, critics all had the same question…and it’s quite sad.
They’re asking why cant the billionaire pay more tax.
Bernie Sanders, political spearhead for the Democrats took to X and wrote: “This is oligarchy. This is obscene.
“While 60 per cent live paycheck to paycheck and kids go hungry, Jeff Bezos, worth $230 billion, goes to Venice on his $500 million yacht for a $20 million wedding and spends $5 million on a ring while his real tax rate is just 1.1 per cent.
The pair have reportedly spend between $10 and $10 million (Andreas Rentz/amfAR / Contributor / Getty Images)
“End this oligarchy.”
Another person wrote: “Jeff Bezos is worth $230 billion and is reportedly spending $20 million on a three-day wedding in Venice while sailing around on his $500 million yacht. If he can afford to do that, he can afford a wealth tax and to pay Amazon workers a living wage. Hello?”
“If Jeff Bezos can afford to rent Venice for his wedding then he can afford to pay more taxes,” someone else said.
While people have been pointing out that his tax payments are less than they believe he can afford, if it makes you feel any better, he and his new wife will be making charitable donations instead of asking guests for wedding gifts.
As per their wedding invite which asks for no presents, they shared they’ll be making contributions instead.
“We are excited for you to join us! We have one early request: please, no gifts,” the shared invite said.
“Instead, we’re making contributions in your honour and with gratitude to you for making the journey to celebrate with us in Venice.”
TYLA reached out to Jeff Bezos’s representatives for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Bruce Glikas/WireImage/Getty Images
