Lauren Sánchez surprised fans when she posted a rare and unrecognizable throwback photo, offering a glimpse into her childhood and modest upbringing.
The 55-year-old, who is set to marry Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in a lavish, multi-million dollar wedding in Venice later this year, took to Instagram on Sunday to honor her roots in celebration of Father's Day. Sharing a series of nostalgic snapshots via her Instagram Stories, Sanchez revealed images from her early years, which is a big contrast from her current life of luxury.
One touching photo showed a young Lauren inside a humble home, complete with a boxy television set and a Christmas tree in the corner. She smiled sweetly for the camera, dressed in a double denim outfit and sporting a voluminous bouffant hairstyle. In the photo, she lovingly placed her hands on her father’s shoulders as he knelt in front of her.
Another image captured Lauren outside her modest family home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, again posing proudly beside her dad.
Alongside the heartfelt throwbacks, she wrote: “Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads out there, especially you. Thank you for the strength, love and laughter you bring into our lives. Grateful today and everyday.”
Interestingly enough, Lauren did not post a public tribute to fiancé Jeff Bezos or any of her ex-partners, with whom she shares her three children.
The intimate photos and message offered a striking contrast to her current high-profile lifestyle. Born and raised in Albuquerque, Sanchez attended Del Norte High School where she was a cheerleader. After graduating, she relocated to California, enrolling at El Camino College before transferring to the University of Southern California to major in communications.
Her media career began as an intern at KCOP-TV in Los Angeles, later becoming a reporter at KTVK-TV in Phoenix. She then returned to L.A. and gained recognition as a special correspondent for Extra.
Sanchez and Bezos made their relationship public in 2019, eventually getting engaged in May of last year. Now, the couple is preparing for an extravagant wedding in Venice, Italy, set to take place later this month.
The ceremony is expected to draw a host of A-list celebrities, political figures, and influential business leaders. With such a guest list, the event will include heightened security measures, street closures, monitored airspace, and a strong police presence.
Bezos’ $500 million superyacht Koru will be anchored at San Basilio — the closest possible point to Venice’s city center due to environmental protections — and will remain in view of the iconic Hotel Cipriani, where many guests are expected to stay. Reports suggest that Bezos, Sanchez, and their immediate families will reside aboard the nine-bedroom yacht, while other attendees will be accommodated at the Cipriani and nearby Aman hotels.