What began as a scandal has transformed into a full-blown fairytale. Lauren Sánchez, former TV anchor and licensed pilot, is preparing to marry Jeff Bezos—the billionaire founder of Amazon—in what promises to be a lavish wedding in Venice.
Their romance began in secret, while both were still married to other people. By January 2019, Bezos and his then-wife MacKenzie Scott had announced their separation, stating they would remain friends and continue their shared interests.
Bezos and Scott had a long history together—they met in 1992 while working at a hedge fund in New York and later launched Amazon from a modest garage in Bellevue, Washington. But within weeks of their split, the world saw headlines explode. Bezos accused the National Enquirer of blackmail after it threatened to release private texts and photos between him and Sánchez. He even hinted at Saudi interference due to his ownership of The Washington Post, which had been critical of the regime after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
However, the twist came when Sánchez’s brother admitted to selling those messages to the tabloid for $200,000.
A New Chapter
In 2021, Bezos stepped down as Amazon’s CEO, citing a desire to focus on his space company Blue Origin and philanthropic efforts. Though he left the top job, he remains executive chairman and the company’s largest shareholder—still very much a powerful presence.
Meanwhile, Sánchez became a steady part of his life and his red-carpet appearances. Whether attending Oscar after-parties or posting sweet messages on Instagram, she’s been a visible partner in his new chapter. The couple announced their engagement in 2023, and let’s just say—Jeff’s wardrobe had noticeably evolved. Gone were the tech bro basics; in their place, tailored looks and a visibly fitter physique.
In one viral post, Sánchez shared a photo of a shirtless Bezos on his yacht, captioned cheekily, “Is it just me, or is it hot outside?”
From Local TV to Liftoff
Before stepping into the spotlight with Bezos, Sánchez had carved her own path. A third-generation Mexican-American from New Mexico, she grew up with undiagnosed dyslexia—a condition that once made her feel like she wasn’t smart. That changed when a professor at a community college recognized the signs and encouraged her. She later earned a scholarship to the University of Southern California but left to pursue television work.
Sánchez became a household name in Los Angeles through stints on Fox Sports and Extra, and later as a co-host on a morning news show. In 1999, she came close to joining The View but lost out on the spot. Still, she remained a familiar face in L.A. media through much of the 2000s.
Her personal life was equally high-profile. She was married to powerful Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell, with whom she shares two children. She also has a son from an earlier relationship with NFL star Tony Gonzalez. Bezos, for his part, has four children with MacKenzie Scott, including their oldest, Preston.
In the Skies and Beyond
Flying has always been more than a hobby for Sánchez—it’s a passion. After stepping away from the anchor desk, she founded an aerial production company and worked as a consultant on Christopher Nolan’s film Dunkirk. “There’s no reason more women shouldn’t be doing this,” she once told The Hollywood Reporter, referencing the male-dominated world of aviation.
Earlier this year, she took that love for flight even higher—literally—when she joined an all-women crew on a Blue Origin space flight. The brief 11-minute journey may have sparked debate over billionaire space tourism, but it marked a personal milestone.
To celebrate her upcoming wedding, Sánchez threw a Parisian bachelorette party filled with celebrity guests. Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Eva Longoria were all in attendance.
From morning newsrooms to the edge of space, Lauren Sánchez has lived many lives. And now, she’s preparing for her next one—walking down the aisle with one of the most powerful men on the planet, in a city as iconic as their love story.
