Jeff Bezos is set to marry his longtime partner, Lauren Sanchez, and many are already calling it the “wedding of the century” due to its expected grandeur. While the celebrations have quietly begun in Venice, Italy, the couple has kept most details under wraps. Initially, the wedding was planned for winter in Aspen, but reports suggest the couple decided to postpone it. The delay is believed to be linked to financial matters, specifically, complications related to Bezos’ first divorce and a prenup agreement with Sanchez.
A source close to Bezos told The Hollywood Reporter, “The wedding was originally supposed to take place during the winter in Aspen, but because the legal agreement wasn’t ready, celebrations were postponed. After Bezos’ divorce from MacKenzie Scott, one of the costliest separations in history, which awarded her $38 billion plus in Amazon shares, his lawyers worked for months to draw up ironclad papers.”
Well-known divorce lawyer Robert Cohen, from the firm Cohen Clair Lans Greifer & Simpson, shared that it’s normal for people like Jeff Bezos to protect their wealth, especially after going through a costly divorce in the past.
Speaking with fortune, the lawyer shared, “They’ve likely been through a nightmare before, which is litigation over their prior divorce and how much you’re giving the other side, or getting, and they don’t want to do that. He’s also going to want to consider what he’s done to terminate his first marriage, because there may be obligations in that that would affect the prenup.”
Prenuptial agreement laws vary by state, and in California, where Jeff Bezos owns property, the rules are especially strict. The law requires full disclosure of all assets and financial details to one’s partner. Attorney Robert Cohen emphasised the importance of accuracy, noting that leaving out information or making mistakes can lead to serious legal issues. Even in states where full disclosure isn’t mandatory, he advises clients to be completely transparent to avoid complications down the line.
A financial expert, Chris Chen, shared that one reason behind planning a strong prenup could be to make sure Bezos’ children are financially safe in the future. The main goal is to keep certain assets safe and out of reach, while also being fair and kind enough to Lauren Sanchez so that everything stays smooth and there are no problems later.
Jeff Bezos lives mainly in Miami, where he owns many homes worth around $237 million. Besides that, he also has properties in California, Texas, Washington, DC and Maui. While Robert Cohen is not representing Bezos or Lauren Sanchez, he said the main points in their prenup may cover how their money and properties are divided, how much support Lauren will get and what happens if one of them passes away. He also believes that Bezos’ lawyers will try to make sure that only a limited part of his wealth goes to Lauren if things don’t work out.