No Room for Oligarchs: Jeff Bezos' Lavish Venice Wedding Sparks Controversy

Jeff Bezos

No Room for Oligarchs: Jeff Bezos' Lavish Venice Wedding Sparks Controversy

The Italian city of Venice—famed for its rich history and stunning architecture—has found itself at the center of a heated debate just days before the highly anticipated wedding of American billionaire Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, and his fiancée, journalist Lauren Sánchez.

On June 10, a massive banner was unfurled on one of the city’s iconic bell towers overlooking the lagoon. The banner featured a red X over Bezos’ face, alongside the bold statement: “No room for Bezos, no room for oligarchs,” calling for a protest against the extravagant event.

Local activist group Venice is Ours condemned the city’s transformation into a "playground for billionaires," warning that such developments threaten Venice’s cultural identity and push out local residents.

The wedding, which is expected to be one of the most expensive in history, will host approximately 1,500 guests, including A-list celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Eva Longoria, Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Brian Grazer, Barbra Streisand, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Joel. The ceremony is set to take place at the historic Palazzo Labia, one of Venice’s most beautiful palaces, with an estimated cost in the millions.

In response to the backlash, the Venice municipality assured that the wedding would not negatively impact the city and that thorough security and logistical plans had been put in place. Nevertheless, locals voiced concerns that such high-profile events add strain to the city’s fragile infrastructure—already under pressure from issues like over-tourism and flooding.

Venice, located in northern Italy, is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, celebrated for its canals, islands, and cultural heritage. However, it faces serious challenges from excessive tourism, which has raised the cost of living and driven residents out. UNESCO has repeatedly warned that Venice could lose its cultural identity if stronger preservation measures aren’t implemented.

Jeff Bezos, 61, is one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, with a fortune exceeding $200 billion according to Forbes. He became engaged to Lauren Sánchez, 55, in 2023, following his divorce from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Their wedding has garnered global attention due to its opulence and star-studded guest list.

This is not the first time large events have sparked controversy in Venice. Environmental activists and local residents have often criticized the exploitation of the city for luxury gatherings. In response to growing concerns, the city introduced an entry fee for tourists in 2025 in an effort to control daily visitor numbers—though this measure has done little to stem criticism over events like the Bezos wedding.