Venice glams up for Bezos-Sanchez wedding — and only one Indian made it to the guest list
Venice: As Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Emmy-winning journalist Lauren Sánchez prepare to tie the knot in a luxurious celebration in Venice, one Indian name has unexpectedly made headlines. While business tycoons like Mukesh Ambani or Gautam Adani were nowhere in sight, the country’s sole representation at the wedding comes from fashion-forward entrepreneur and philanthropist Natasha Poonawalla.
The grand event, reportedly scheduled for June 27 2025, has attracted a glittering guest list of fewer than 200 elite personalities, including the likes of Beyoncé, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Gates, Orlando Bloom, and Ivanka Trump.
Couture queen steals the spotlight
Poonawalla, known for her head-turning style, has already been making waves in Venice, attending pre-wedding events and sharing glimpses on social media. On Instagram, she posted photos captioned “Celebrating Love” with the hashtag #Venice, showcasing a dramatic sculptural red outfit with exaggerated heart-shaped elements and flowing fringe. The look was elevated with a dazzling diamond neckpiece, nude lips, glowing skin, and a sleek ponytail topped with a striking red bow.
A seat at the global table
According to reports, Poonawalla maintains a warm friendship with both Bezos and Sánchez, a bond strong enough to earn her an invitation to the closely guarded, ultra-exclusive ceremony. While other Indian celebrities may still join the celebrations, for now, Poonawalla stands alone as the country’s only confirmed attendee.
Her presence at the pre-wedding gala isn’t the only highlight. She also took part in Sánchez’s high-profile bachelorette party held in Paris earlier this year. The intimate 14-guest affair featured major names like Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Kris Jenner, and Eva Longoria. Poonawalla held her own among the Hollywood elite, further cementing her place in international social circles.
Who is Natasha Poonawalla?
The 43-year-old businesswoman is a prominent figure in Indian industry and philanthropy. She serves as Executive Director of the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, and chairs the Villoo Poonawalla Foundation.
Married to Adar Poonawalla, CEO of SII, Natasha is also involved with several branches of the family empire, including the Poonawalla Science Park in the Netherlands and Villoo Poonawalla Racing and Breeding Pvt Ltd. The couple, who met at a New Year’s Eve party hosted by Vijay Mallya, have two sons, Cyrus and Darius, and reside in Mumbai’s iconic Lincoln House, reportedly valued at ₹750 crore.
Natasha was born on November 26, 1981 in Pune, Mumbai, to Pramesh and Minnie Aurora. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University and earned a master’s from the London School of Economics in 2004. Her estimated net worth stands at ₹660 crore, according to public reports.