Jeff Bezos, world’s third richest man, and fiancee Lauren Sanchez donate millions to Venice charities ahead of wedding

By Phong Ngo June 24, 2025 | 02:26 am PT

Jeff Bezos, the world’s third-richest person, and his fiancee, former TV anchor Lauren Sanchez, have discreetly donated millions of dollars to local charities in preparation for their wedding in Venice.

The couple, who made the donations in April, are incorporating their guests, including A-list figures like Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Bill Gates, Barbara Streisand, and Ivanka Trump, into their philanthropic efforts by making donations in their names as wedding gifts, according to Page Six.

Among their charitable contributions, Bezos made a €1 million (US$1.2 million) donation to Corila, a consortium focused on studying Venice’s lagoon ecosystem, according to Reuters.

In May, guests were notified that in place of traditional wedding gifts, Bezos and Sanchez chose to support Venice’s preservation, ensuring that the city "will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come," sources told Page Six.

Jeff Bezos and fiancée Lauren Sánchez. Photo courtesy of Bezos's Instagram

The couple’s wedding, estimated to cost between $15 million and $20 million, will take place from June 26-28, according to the Daily Mail.

80% of their wedding items are being sourced from historic Venetian vendors, including Rosa Salva, the city’s oldest pastry maker, and Murano glassblower Laguna B, as reported by the AP. Guests are expected to receive keepsakes from Laguna B, known for its colorful "goti de fornasa" cups.