Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are reportedly already legally married and have an "ironclad" prenuptial agreement in place before their highly publicized wedding ceremony in Venice, Italy. Legal experts suggest the prenup is a critical move, especially considering Bezos's previous divorce from MacKenzie Scott, which resulted in Scott receiving over $38 billion in Amazon shares.
The absence of a prenuptial agreement in Bezos's first marriage made legal safeguards a priority this time around. Sources indicate that Bezos's legal team insisted on finalizing the prenup before proceeding with the wedding, with some reports claiming that initial wedding plans were delayed due to prolonged negotiations. While Bezos denied rumors of an Aspen wedding, a report in Vanity Fair suggested that "lingering financial trauma" from his first divorce pushed the wedding back by a few months.
High-profile divorce attorney Robert Cohen, who has represented clients like Melinda French Gates, noted that billionaires often seek prenups after experiencing contentious divorces. He stated, "They've likely been through a nightmare before… and they don't want to do that again." Sánchez, who also had a prenup in her first marriage to Patrick Whitesell, understands the importance of such agreements in facilitating a smooth division of assets if necessary.
According to legal experts, the prenup between Bezos and Sánchez is considered one of the most intricate ever crafted. Alphonse Provinziano, a California-based family lawyer, described it as being "designed to survive any legal challenge," likening it to a business merger in terms of scale and scrutiny. The agreement is expected to address the complexities of Bezos's vast fortune, which is tied to multiple companies and intricate financial structures.
California law mandates that prenuptial agreements be fair and transparent, requiring full financial disclosure from both parties. Sánchez is believed to have had her own legal representation and ample time to review and negotiate the terms.
The wedding festivities in Venice, estimated to cost over $10 million, have drawn a star-studded guest list, including Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, and Tom Brady. However, the lavish event has also sparked protests from Venice locals, who criticize the couple for the event's opulence and its impact on the city. A protest group called "No Space for Bezos" has voiced concerns about environmental damage, city privatization, and the neglect of local residents' needs.
Despite the criticism, Bezos and Sánchez have reportedly made donations to local charities in honor of their guests. Adding to the speculation surrounding the wedding, sources suggest that the couple may have already legally married to avoid potential legal complications associated with marrying in a foreign country. One Florida-based attorney noted that a marriage in a foreign country might not be valid in the USA or could create other issues. Another Italian source mentioned that there's no official record of Bezos and Sánchez completing the necessary legal requirements to get married in Venice, suggesting they may have already signed their marriage papers in Florida, where they primarily reside.
