Environmental activists and anti-tourism groups are staging protests in Venice ahead of the highly anticipated wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.
The protesters are accusing the American billionaire of flaunting wealth and exploiting the fragile city for personal pleasure.
According to Reuters, the couple’s three-day wedding celebration, set to begin later this week, is expected to cost between €20 to €30 million.
It will also bring together around 200 high-profile guests, including Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Bill Gates and Eric Schmidt.
The extravagant event has, however, triggered backlash from local groups and international organisations like Greenpeace and ‘Everyone Hates Elon’.
Footage shared on social media showed protesters unfurling a giant banner at the St. Mark’s Square in Venice.
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The banner featured a laughing image of Bezos and the words: “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax”.
In the accompanying caption, the protesters accused Bezos of paying his staff “poverty wages and dodging taxes”.
“No wonder he can afford to shut down half of Venice for his wedding this week. Tax Billionaires now,” it reads.
“This isn’t about the wedding. The problem is the system,” said Simona Abbate, one of the Greenpeace protesters. “We think that one big billionaire can’t rent a city for his pleasure.”
Local group ‘No Space for Bezos’ also accused city leaders of prioritising elite tourism at the expense of residents.
“Bezos arrogantly believes he can take over the city and turn it into his own private party venue,” said Tommaso Cacciari, a spokesperson for the group. The group also hung anti-Bezos banners on the Rialto Bridge.
Despite the opposition, authorities in Venice and the Veneto region have welcomed the event, hoping the buzz around it will stimulate the local economy.
Luca Zaia, regional governor, said the festivities would benefit businesses, estimating the cost of the celebrations to €34 million.
The wedding will reportedly take place on the exclusive island of San Giorgio, with guests arriving in more than 90 private jets through Venice’s Marco Polo Airport.
Though the couple has not confirmed their arrival date or disclosed the ceremony location, reports suggest the event will run from June 26 to 28. Bezos and Sanchez are expected to lodge at the Aman Venice, a luxury hotel on the Grand Canal.
The Amazon founder is said to be making charitable donations tied to the event, including €1 million to Corila, a research body focused on preserving the Venice lagoon ecosystem.
Bezos was previously married to MacKenzie Scott, his wife of 25 years. They share four children.
In 2023, the 61-year-old businessman announced his engagement to Sanchez, 55.
According to Forbes, as of June 2025, Bezos’ estimated net worth stood at US$227 billion, making him the fourth richest individual in the world.
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