When you think of the Cannes Film Festival, you probably picture high-brow French cinema and actors crying over ten-minute standing ovations. But honestly? The real show isn't always in the Palais. Sometimes it’s floating a few hundred yards offshore on a boat that costs more than the GDP of a small island.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez basically turned the 2025 Cannes circuit into their own personal pre-wedding victory lap. It was flashy. It was loud. And yeah, it was kinda controversial.
If you’ve been following the "Sanchezos" saga, you know they don't do things halfway. We aren't just talking about a couple of red carpet photos here. We’re talking about a $500 million superyacht named Koru, a $75 million "support" ship, and an awards ceremony that had the internet screaming about irony.
The $500 Million Elephant in the Water
Let's talk about the boat. You’ve probably seen the pictures of Koru. It’s a 417-foot sailing schooner with three massive masts. It’s a literal marvel of engineering. But during the 2025 festival, it served as a floating fortress for the world’s second-richest man and his now-wife.
People in the harbor were gawking. You can't really blame them. The thing is so big it can't even dock in most standard marinas. Instead, it anchored off the coast, with a second ship—the Abeona—following it around like a loyal puppy. Why a second ship? Because the main yacht doesn't have a helipad. Naturally.
Basically, if Lauren wanted to fly her helicopter, she had to hop over to the "small" boat first. It sounds exhausting, doesn't it?
- The Yacht: Koru (417 feet long).
- The Support: Abeona (247 feet long).
- The Cost: Roughly $575 million combined.
- The Fuel: It burns about 2,000 liters per hour.
This brings us to the part that actually set the internet on fire.
The Global Gift Gala Irony
On May 19, 2025, Lauren Sanchez stepped off that massive, fuel-chugging vessel to accept an award. Not just any award. She was honored with the Global Gift Women Empowerment Award at a gala presided over by Eva Longoria.
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The foundation praised her for her "commitment to climate justice" through the Bezos Earth Fund.
You can see why people were side-eyeing the situation. Accepting a climate award while your primary mode of transportation emits as much CO2 as 1,500 cars is... a choice. Critics like those on French social media and publications like Libération didn't hold back. They called it "cinematic irony."
But look, if we’re being fair, the Bezos Earth Fund is putting up billions. $10 billion, to be exact. It’s a weird paradox. You have this couple living a hyper-luxury lifestyle that most people can't even fathom, while simultaneously writing checks that could actually save specific ecosystems. Both things are true at the same time.
What she actually did at the gala:
Lauren spoke about her work with This Is About Humanity, an organization that helps families at the US-Mexico border. She looked stunning, obviously. Jeff was there too, playing the role of the supportive fiancé, looking on while she took center stage. This was just weeks before their June wedding in Venice, so the energy was very much "honeymoon phase."
PDA and Foam Parties: Not Your Average Billionaires
If you think billionaires just sit around talking about interest rates, the 2025 Cannes trip would have proved you wrong.
There were photos. Lots of them. Jeff and Lauren were spotted "packing on the PDA" (as the tabloids love to say) on the decks of Koru. We saw Jeff nuzzling her neck and rubbing her arms while they lounged in the Mediterranean sun. It’s clear they’re still obsessed with each other after six years.
Then there was the foam party.
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Yes. A foam party. On a half-billion-dollar yacht.
It happened right around the Cannes/Croatia leg of their trip. Some people thought it was a pre-wedding bash, others said it was for Lauren’s son Evan’s 19th birthday. Either way, seeing one of the most powerful men in history covered in suds and bouncing giant pink beach balls is an image you can't unsee.
The amfAR Gala Appearance
Beyond the yacht drama, they did hit the high-society circuit. The amfAR Gala is the big one. It’s where everyone who is anyone goes to raise money for AIDS research.
Lauren showed up in a multicolored Roberto Cavalli dress. Think mermaid style, lots of sequins, and a sweetheart neckline. She looked like she belonged there. Jeff went with a classic black tuxedo.
What’s interesting is how they navigate these rooms. They aren't just guests; they’re the gravity. Everyone from Heidi Klum to Adrien Brody was in the building, but the cameras were glued to the Bezos table.
Why Cannes Matters for Them
- The Engagement: They actually got engaged in Cannes back in May 2023.
- The Reputation: It’s where they transitioned from "controversial couple" to "global power duo."
- The Networking: Cannes isn't just about movies; it's about the overlap of tech wealth and Hollywood influence.
The Look-Alike Confusion
Here is a weird detail that most people missed. During the 2025 festival, a couple of doppelgängers actually managed to trick the photographers.
A pair that looked strikingly like Jeff and Lauren strutted down the red carpet for the premiere of a film called Dossier 137. The woman had the glossy hair and the designer sunglasses; the man had the bald head and the signature Bezos bowtie. For a few hours, the internet thought the real couple had arrived early.
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It was basically a real-life Spider-Man meme. TMZ later confirmed it wasn't them, but it goes to show just how much of a "brand" their physical appearance has become.
The Reality of the "Bezos Effect"
Living like this comes with a price that isn't just financial. In Venice, just after their Cannes stint, local activists were literally putting up "No Space for Bezos" banners. People are tired of the "excess," even in places as fancy as the French Riviera.
But Jeff and Lauren seem to have a strategy for this. They started donating to local Venetian charities and sourcing 80% of their wedding supplies from local vendors. It's a charm offensive. They know the optics are tough, so they lean into the philanthropy to balance the scales.
Whether you love them or think the whole thing is a bit much, you can't deny they’ve mastered the art of the spectacle.
Key Takeaways for the Curious
If you're looking to understand the Bezos/Sanchez dynamic in Cannes, here is the breakdown:
- It’s about the Yacht: Koru is their home base. It’s where the proposal happened and where the private parties stay private.
- Philanthropy is the Shield: Every time they do something "extra," like the foam party, they follow it up with a major award or a donation.
- They are a Team: Lauren isn't just a "plus one." Between her pilot skills and her Earth Fund involvement, she's as much a part of the brand as he is.
Next Steps for You: If you’re planning a trip to the French Riviera and want to catch a glimpse of this kind of luxury, your best bet is to check the ship tracking apps for Koru. It usually sticks to the coast between Cannes, Monaco, and Portofino during the summer months. Just don't expect an invite to the foam party unless you're Kim Kardashian.