Jeff Bezos and tequila are making headlines as the billionaire added a last-minute shot of luxury spirits to his $50 million wedding celebration in Venice. According to venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya, the Amazon founder sent a text requesting a shipment of ultra-premium tequila, and Palihapitiya obliged by dispatching a private jet stocked with his newly launched $1,200-a-bottle tequila. The gesture, revealed in a Sunday post on X (formerly Twitter), added a touch of extravagance to what was already a star-studded three-day event attended by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kim Kardashian. The tequila delivery has since gone viral, highlighting the casual opulence that only the world’s richest can summon with a single message.
A plane full of tequila for Bezos-Sanchez wedding celebration
Chamath Palihapitiya and his “All-In” podcast co-hosts had just launched their ultra-premium tequila brand in Los Angeles on June 21. Shaped like poker chips and priced at $1,200 per bottle, the limited-edition batch reportedly sold out within hours. With celebrity endorsements and social media buzz, the tequila quickly became a coveted status symbol. So when Bezos reached out, Palihapitiya didn’t just send a few bottles, he sent a whole case via private jet to Venice where the Amazon founder was celebrating his wedding with Lauren Sánchez.Jeff Bezos, 61, and Lauren Sanchez, 55, hosted their wedding festivities across three lavish days on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The celebration included a Thursday welcome at Madonna dell’Orto, a Friday ceremony inside a historic 16th-century basilica and a Saturday pajama-themed dance party headlined by Usher. About 200 VIP guests attended, including business icons like Bill Gates and media personalities like Ivanka Trump. The event attracted global attention not only for its luxury but also for the array of private jets that touched down in Venice, including Palihapitiya’s tequila-bearing plane.
Social media reaction and brand buzz
Palihapitiya’s post on X included the message: “Apropos of celebrity drinkers of our tequila, I just got a text from Bezos. I sent my plane with a case of our tequila to Venice as a wedding present. Congratulations Jeff + Lauren!” The post was met with a mix of admiration and criticism. While many marveled at the extravagance, others pointed to the event as a symbol of growing economic inequality. Local activists in Venice marched under the banner “No Space for Bezos,” criticising the ultra-wealthy celebration for overshadowing local issues, even as officials praised its tourism boost.The tequila stunt wasn’t just a personal favor. It served as a savvy marketing move. Since the post, online buzz around Palihapitiya’s tequila has surged, with fans and curious buyers demanding a second release. The blend of Silicon Valley cool, celebrity influence and billionaire theatrics has positioned the brand for potential global expansion. Whether it was spontaneous generosity or calculated brand promotion, one thing is clear: in the world of billionaires, even tequila flies private.
