Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos has firmly denied rumors of an extravagant wedding with his fiancée, journalist Lauren Sánchez. Speculations suggested the event would occur before the year's end in Aspen, Colorado, with a staggering price tag of $600 million. Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square, debunked the story on social media platform X, calling it implausible. "This isn't credible. Unless you're buying a house for each guest, you can't spend that much," he quipped.
Shortly afterward, Bezos himself reiterated Ackman's post to confirm the falsity of the rumors. "This is all completely false, none of this is happening," Bezos stated, addressing reports that had widely circulated on social media and some international press outlets.
The billionaire not only refuted the rumor but also reflected on how quickly falsehoods spread in the digital age. "The old saying 'don't believe everything you read' is truer now than ever. Lies can travel across the globe before the truth even gets its pants on. So be cautious and don't be gullible," he added. "It will be interesting to see if the media that 'covered' and spread this story issue a correction," Bezos noted, highlighting the intense media scrutiny faced by public figures like himself.
The speculation started with an article from the Daily Mail, which quoted a "well-informed source" and described supposed plans for a luxurious ceremony at actor Kevin Costner's 160-acre ranch in the upscale area of Aspen. "That said, I hope you have an epic wedding. It's good to know that epic events are happening somewhere in the world, even if one isn't present. A world where amazing events happen somewhere is better than one where they happen nowhere," commented none other than Elon Musk, implying that whenever the wedding occurs, he might not be on the guest list.
The Relationship of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez went public with their relationship in 2019, shortly after Bezos's divorce from his first wife, MacKenzie Scott. Since then, the couple has maintained a balance between privacy and high-profile public appearances.
Lauren Sánchez, 54, is a journalist and entrepreneur with a distinguished media career. She has worked as an anchor for networks such as FOX and CNBC, and she founded Black Ops Aviation, a production company specializing in aerial filming. Sánchez is also a mother of three: Nikko, from her relationship with former NFL player Tony Gonzalez, and Ella and Evan from her marriage to Patrick Whitesell.
In May 2023, Bezos and Sánchez announced their engagement during a trip to Positano, Italy, joined by close friends including Bill Gates and Leonardo DiCaprio. Although they haven't publicly revealed details of their wedding, Sánchez has expressed her excitement about the preparations in interviews.
Social and Labor Criticisms of Jeff Bezos
The alleged lavish wedding rumors quickly drew negative reactions on social media, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing labor protests faced by Amazon. Some critics decried the contrast between the supposed opulence of the wedding and the working conditions of Amazon employees.
"To put it into perspective, Bezos could give a $2 million raise to each of his 275,000 Amazon delivery drivers, and it would still be $50 million cheaper than his wedding," a user commented on X. Currently, Amazon workers in New York and other states are striking, demanding better wages and working conditions.
Though the wedding rumors have been debunked, public scrutiny of Bezos and his estimated $250 billion fortune remains ongoing.
Common Inquiries About Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez
What are the origins of the wedding rumors about Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez?
The wedding rumors originated from an article by the Daily Mail, which claimed insider information about a lavish ceremony planned at Kevin Costner's ranch in Aspen, Colorado.
How has Jeff Bezos responded to the false wedding rumors?
Jeff Bezos has publicly denied the wedding rumors, emphasizing that they are entirely false and highlighting the rapid spread of misinformation in the digital age.
What criticisms has Jeff Bezos faced regarding the wedding rumors?
Critics on social media have contrasted the rumored lavish wedding with the working conditions at Amazon, especially amid ongoing labor strikes for better wages and conditions.