Outspoken comedian and television icon Rosie O’Donnell is making headlines once again, this time for calling out Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez over their lavish $50 million wedding celebration in Venice, Italy. O’Donnell also took aim at Oprah Winfrey, among other celebrity guests, for endorsing what she described as an act of “gross excess” during a time of global hardship.
The star-studded, ultra-exclusive event, held over the weekend, brought together the world’s richest and most famous aboard private yachts, luxury water taxis, and 16th-century palazzos. While the wedding was intended to be a romantic European affair, it quickly turned into a flashpoint for controversy—especially after O’Donnell publicly condemned the extravagance amid ongoing protests by local Venetians against over-tourism and wealth inequality.
On Sunday morning, Rosie O’Donnell posted a blunt video to her Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), criticizing what she called a “tone-deaf and dystopian display of wealth.”
“A $50 million wedding in a city drowning in floods, inequality, and corporate gentrification? Disgusting,” she said. “And Oprah, girl, really? You were there smiling like this wasn’t the Roman Empire crumbling in slow motion.”
O’Donnell’s remarks went viral within hours, with her video racking up over 8 million views, and the hashtag #BezosWedding trending globally. Fans and critics alike took sides, with many praising her boldness and others accusing her of being bitter or hypocritical.
The Bezos-Sánchez wedding, held at a private Venetian villa along the Grand Canal, featured performances by Andrea Bocelli, fireworks over the lagoon, a curated seafood and truffle feast by Michelin-starred chefs, and a guest list that reportedly included:
Oprah Winfrey
Leonardo DiCaprio
Kim Kardashian
Bill Gates
Tom Cruise
Beyoncé and Jay-Z (rumored but unconfirmed)
Local residents protested near the venue, holding signs like “Venice Is Not For Sale” and “Stop the Billionaire Parade.” A number of locals complained about the closure of certain canals and public routes for the sake of the wedding’s security arrangements.
O’Donnell’s comments have reignited a long-standing debate about celebrity opulence in the face of global economic instability. With rising inflation, climate emergencies, and homelessness plaguing even developed nations, some are questioning whether such displays are acceptable in 2025.
One X user posted:
“Rosie’s right. It’s beyond tone-deaf. This isn’t just a party—it’s a slap in the face to working people everywhere.”
Others pushed back:
“Let them enjoy their money. Rosie O’Donnell just wants attention,” said another.
O’Donnell’s name-drop of Oprah Winfrey, once considered untouchable in the realm of public figures, added an extra layer of controversy. O’Donnell has had a strained relationship with Oprah for years, but many were surprised she would openly criticize the media mogul for attending what some call “the billionaire wedding of the decade.”
No response has yet been issued by Oprah or her representatives.
Rosie O’Donnell’s comments may have thrown gasoline on the fire of online debate, but they also reflect a growing public frustration with the disconnect between the ultra-wealthy and the real world. Whether one sees the Bezos wedding as a fairytale or a fiasco, one thing is clear—in the age of accountability, even billionaires can’t party in peace.