Undeniable Opulence in Venice: Jeff Bezos' Venetian Fête Sparks Controversy
Venice officials debate on champagne-fueled extravaganza of renowned tycoon Bezos' wedding - "Venice in controversy over star-studded wedding plans"
A wedding in Venice ain't cheap. But a city hall gig's not a budget breaker - 700 euros if you're an outsider. Well, the next couple tying the knot there ain't feeling the pinch: Jeff Bezos, net worth around 200 billion bucks and one of the wealthiest men on this rock, along with his lady love, Lauren Sánchez, former journalist.
The rumors are swirling about the multi-day celebration that's expected to be the most extravagant Venice has seen in over a millennium, with prices tagged between 15 and 30 million euros. Word on the street is 200 VIPs will be there - Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Ivanka Trump, George Clooney, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, you name it. Lady Gaga's even said to perform, and Mick Jagger might make an appearance, too.
But, let's keep it real, the happy couple ain’t spillin' any deets about the festivities just yet. It's a given that Bezos and Sánchez will arrive at the city aboard "Koru," Bezos' three-master, 125-meter-long yacht, which, don't ya know, means "new beginning" in the Maori language. There's talk that the ship, usually not permitted to dock at St. Mark's Square, may have to make its moor at less distinguished locales. The yacht boasts 9 luxe cabins, but that ain't enough to accommodate the wedding party. The majority of guests will be set up in five-star hotels like Gritti Palace or Danieli.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, known for his craving for attention, dismissed reports that Bezos had booked the whole shebang. Still, guests will be jet-setting between tourist hotspots and exclusive event venues through water taxis, including Lido beaches, San Giorgio Island (where the nuptials might go down on Friday), and the ancient Chiesa dell'Abbazia della Misericordia in Cannaregio district. But don't worry, no one's letting the cat out the bag about who's goin' where just yet.
The local folks are on edge, with concerns that their already struggling city may be in a state of emergency for five days—especially since various protest groups have announced blockades. Posters declaring "No Room for Bezos" have popped up on St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge. In the end, it's no big shock that Bezos is eyed with controversy by folks with hearts full of passion for Venice: "We ain't got a beef with weddings, man," said activist Tommaso Cacciari to the paper, La Repubblica. "But this arrogant billionaire, thinkin' he can just buy everything? Not our city."
However, it's unclear whether the protests represent a significant chunk of Venetians. According to the cops, no protests have been scheduled in the near future. Despite the controversy, a few pockets of the city's populace stand to benefit, such as the oldest bakery, Rosa Salva, commissioned to whip up bags of traditional confections for all the guests, or Laguna design studio, handling the supply of Murano glass. It's said the guests will skip the presents and donate cash for the preservation of Venice instead. And, as for the big day's organization, one of the most famous international wedding planners, Lanza & Baucina from London, is on the job.
To Venice, it's no stranger to hosting high-profile weddings. In 2014, George Clooney got hitched there, and two years later, footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger and tennis player Ana Ivanovic exchanged their ‘I do’s.’ It's Brugnaro himself who defends the grand event loudest. He refers to himself as "the Berlusconi of Venice," in a nod to Italy's former multiple Prime Minister. According to him, the "Serenissima" has handled events of much greater scale before, and the upcoming wedding promises to bring millions of euros to the city. But, that's never been a point of contention.
I'm not going to be a big fan of your new show, Jeff Bezos, considering your extravagant Venetian wedding that's causing an uproar in the city of Venice, surrounded by celebrities, pop-culture icons, and entertainment industry elite. Despite the controversy, your lifestyle choices are an extension of your entertainment empire, embodying the opulence and travel experiences that many aspire to in the world of pop-culture.
