Lauren Sánchez is set to embark on a historic space mission just two months before her highly anticipated wedding to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in Italy.
In a recent interview with ELLE magazine, Sánchez shared why Bezos encouraged her to take on this challenge—despite her own fears.
Sánchez, a former news anchor and helicopter pilot, revealed that she and Bezos live by a motto: “Life takes off on the other side of fear.”
She admitted that while she’s excited about the upcoming Blue Origin Flight NS-31, she is also a bit nervous. Reaching out to fellow passenger Gayle King during the interview, she confessed, “Trust me, I’m a little scared too.”
Sánchez will be part of an all-female space crew, including pop star Katy Perry, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyễn, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.
The mission, scheduled for April 14, marks the first time a crew composed solely of women has ventured into space since Valentina Tereshkova’s historic 1963 solo flight.
The crew will travel aboard a self-flying Blue Origin rocket, experiencing four minutes of weightlessness before descending back to Earth. The entire trip will last approximately 11 minutes.
Sánchez emphasized the significance of the mission, stating, “All of these women are storytellers in their own right. They will bring back their experiences and share them in unique ways.”
Star-studded wedding party
Meanwhile, wedding preparations are in full swing. Sánchez and Bezos will tie the knot this summer in Venice, Italy, in what is expected to be a lavish, three-day affair.
According to sources, the guest list includes 200 high-profile names, with Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, and Katy Perry among the top attendees. The Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, confirmed the details, assuring that the event will be "respectful of the city’s fragility and uniqueness."
Despite speculation, the couple has ruled out hosting the wedding on Bezos’ $500 million yacht, Koru, where he proposed in 2023.
Bezos and Sánchez made their relationship public in 2019, shortly after Bezos’ divorce from MacKenzie Scott. He proposed in May 2023 with a stunning $2.5 million pink diamond ring, a moment Sánchez admitted left her “blacking out” from excitement.
The couple is known for their deep bond, with Bezos previously stating, “Lauren is the most generous, big-hearted person you’ll ever meet. We’re great teammates, and we love each other.”
Sánchez has also confirmed she will be taking Bezos’ last name after the wedding, officially becoming Mrs. Bezos.
With a historic space journey and a star-studded wedding on the horizon, 2024 is shaping up to be a monumental year for Lauren Sánchez.