Lauren Sánchez, who will soon marry Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has had an incredible life that includes working in newsrooms, helicopter cockpits, and even on the edge of space.
But who is this Emmy Award-winning philanthropist, journalist, and aviator that is in the news all over the world?
Lauren Sánchez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1969. She first enrolled at El Camino College before moving to the University of Southern California, where she was known as Wendy Sánchez, according to the university's official website.
Before going on to national television, she started her journalism career at Phoenix, Arizona's KTVK-TV. She established herself over the years as the original host of the popular series So You Think You Can Dance, co-host of the well-liked show "Good Day LA," and with appearances on "Extra."
At the age of 40, Sánchez took a bold leap, earning her helicopter pilot’s licence—an ambition inspired by her father, who was a flight instructor.
In 2016, she founded Black Ops Aviation, which became the first female-owned aerial film production company. Her company even consulted on Christopher Nolan’s war epic Dunkirk, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“I had my job, I had a career, and then I found a calling,” she explained. “I loved entertainment and I loved filming, and so I got to combine all of it.”
Now 55, Lauren Sánchez serves as vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, a philanthropic organisation focusing on combating climate change, protecting nature, and supporting early childhood education and housing initiatives.
In 2025, she reached new heights—literally—by flying to the edge of space aboard the Blue Origin NS-31 rocket, alongside five other female passengers.
She was instrumental in organising the mission, hand-picking the crew that included journalist Gayle King, singer Katy Perry, and advocate Amanda Nguyen. Sánchez also collaborated with fashion house Monse to create bespoke flight suits for the mission.
“Earth looked so – it was so quiet,” she reflected on the life-changing journey. “And you look at it, and you’re like, ‘We’re all in this together.’”
Her passion for storytelling recently extended to children’s literature. In 2024, she published The Fly Who Flew to Space, a bilingual book about a curious fly named Flynn. Lauren Sánchez described it as “a metaphor for curiosity and the pursuit of dreams.”
Lauren Sánchez is also a devoted mother of three: Nikko, whom she shares with former NFL player Tony Gonzalez, and Evan and Ella, her children with ex-husband and entertainment executive Patrick Whitesell.
She told The Wall Street Journal in 2023 that she enjoys a close bond with Gonzalez and his wife, calling them her “best friends.”
Her relationship with Bezos became public in 2019 following his divorce from MacKenzie Scott. The couple got engaged in May 2023.
Earlier this year, Lauren Sánchez joined Bezos at U.S. President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, where they were seated next to Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
From local news desks to outer space, Lauren Sánchez journey is a testament to ambition, reinvention, and living life on your own terms.
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