The world may be obsessing over Jeff Bezos’ extravagant wedding plans, but 34 years ago in March 1991, Apple founder Steve Jobs tied the knot with Laurene Powell in a fashion that was anything but flashy. When you look closely, there’s quite a bit that connects Bezos and Jobs. To start with, they’re both billionaires, Bezos is currently worth $209 billion, while Jobs had a net worth of around $10.2 billion at the time of his passing in 2011. Needless to say both tech titans built their empires from scratch and literally changed the world.
Both were adopted, Steve Jobs, born in 1955 in San Francisco, was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs, a lower-middle-class couple. Jeff Bezos, on the other hand, was adopted by Miguel Bezos, the second husband of his biological mother Jacklyn. Jeff’s surname was changed from Jorgensen to Bezos. Their similarities could go on, they both loved reading, washing dishes, and even had a thing for superyachts. Think Bezos’ $500 million Koru and the late Jobs’ $140 million Venus. But where they differ sharply is in their choice of wedding celebrations. Let’s delve into the big and small plans of two similar men-
A lavish Venetian celebration vs a serene vow exchange in Yosemite-
Now 61, Bezos is making international headlines for his upcoming nuptials with helicopter pilot Lauren Sanchez, a three-day extravaganza in Venice, Italy, from June 24–26 that’s already being called the wedding of the century. The guest list is expected to include around 200 A-listers like Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Kim Kardashian, and Kris Jenner. In response to the grand event, the mayor of Venice issued a statement ensuring that the city’s day-to-day life would not be disrupted, with water taxis available for both locals and tourists alike.
Steve Jobs, however, chose a far humbler path. Even his rival turned friend Bill Gates had a secretive, lavish wedding with Melinda Gates in Hawaii, spending $1 million to book out the entire Four Seasons Lanai resort.
Jobs, in stark contrast, married 27-year-old Stanford MBA Laurene Powell in a quiet Buddhist ceremony at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. No red carpet, no media circus, just around 50 close friends and family, including his adoptive father Paul Jobs and sister Mona Simpson.
Zen Buddhist monk Kōbun Chino Otogawa presided over the ceremony, striking a gong and lighting incense. It may have been new to many guests, but surely no one expected a vegan wedding cake shaped like Yosemite’s iconic Half Dome. After the ceremony, instead of posing for paparazzi or sailing off into the sunset, the newlyweds went hiking in the snow. The couple, who had three children, Reed, Erin, and Eve, remained together until Jobs’ death in 2011. Laurene inherited a significant portion of her husband’s estate, including shares in Disney and Apple, and is currently worth nearly $15 billion.
Their wedding lacked the glitz of Bill Gates’ island extravaganza or the sleek drama of Bezos’ upcoming celebration with the Koru megayacht possibly playing third wheel. But it radiated an enduring charm and simplicity that remained untouched by all the success that followed.
