Bezos married Sánchez on June 27 in Venice, Italy. According to Forbes, the world’s fourth-richest man has a net worth of US$236.8 billion, while Sánchez’s net worth is estimated at $30 million by Celebrity Net Worth. Experts in family law and wealth management suggest that the couple likely signed a complex prenuptial agreement ahead of their wedding.
Marilyn Chinitz, a matrimonial attorney for billionaires like Tom Cruise, believes that Bezos and Sánchez likely spent months, if not a year, working with teams of estate lawyers, tax advisors, forensic accountants, and public relations experts to finalise their agreement.
Such prenups often include nonfinancial provisions, such as nondisclosure and non-disparagement clauses covering media activities, business information, and even the specifics of the prenup negotiations.
“Given Jeff is one of the wealthiest people in the world … privacy issues and confidentiality management are also key considerations,” Paul Karger, CEO of TwinFocus, a multifamily office and private investment firm, said. “There should be clear understanding on the use, and misuse, of media and social media outlets, storage and retention of documentation, [and] restriction on public interviews.”
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Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and wife Lauren Sánchez. Photo courtesy of Sánchez’s Instagram |
Experts shaping the agreement
Anne Paape, managing director at Cresset Capital, a multi-family office for entrepreneurs and multi-generational families of wealth, stated that prenuptial agreements are increasingly common among the ultrawealthy, sometimes even mandated by family trusts, as reported by Business Insider.
For billionaires, prenups typically begin with full disclosure of both parties’ financial assets and debts. These discussions often expand to include business partners, tax attorneys, luxury realtors, and even aviation experts who appraise homes and private jets, according to Brooke Summerhill, a divorce financial consultant for ultra-high-net-worth clients.
“Bezos will absolutely have protection against anything that could be at risk,” Summerhill said, adding that he likely kept his pre-marriage assets separate from Sánchez’s.
Protecting business and assets
For billionaires like Bezos, protecting business interests and global properties is a priority. Paape noted that many do not want to risk giving an ex-partner enough stock to influence company decisions.
Summerhill added that clauses protecting the appreciation of assets during the marriage are essential.
Provisions for divorce and death
In the event of a divorce, experts suggested that Sánchez would likely receive a lump sum, Amazon shares, and some real estate.
Sánchez is “likely to walk away with a significant amount of money, but nowhere near what his first wife, MacKenzie, got,” Chinitz said. “MacKenzie helped create those assets. His wealth existed long before he met or married Lauren Sánchez.”
Both Bezos and Sánchez have previously been married and divorced. Bezos notably did not have a prenup during his first marriage to MacKenzie Scott, resulting in her receiving approximately $38 billion in Amazon stock, according to Fortune.
Prenups may also include death clauses to prevent a surviving spouse from claiming a larger share of separate property. While a surviving spouse typically receives a lump sum or life insurance payout, a will can override prenuptial terms, Summerhill said.
Inheritance and privacy
Trusts are “a no-brainer” for children of the ultrawealthy, Paape said, addressing inherited property and business ownership. Bezos shares four children with ex-wife MacKenzie Scott, while Sánchez has three children from previous relationships.
“He’s known to be a very generous man,” Chinitz said. “It’s a blended family of seven kids, and I’m sure he’s going to provide for her children as well. He’s not legally obligated to, because he’s not the father, but I’m sure if it’s a happy marriage, he will make provision for her children as well.”
Confidentiality provisions are standard in prenups for the wealthy, Raymond Hekmat, a Beverly Hills family law attorney, said. Some agreements even include restrictions on social media.
Provisions of a sunset clause, which allow some terms, or even the entire prenup, to expire after a set period, are also common. Paape added that some couples opt to adjust provisions and become more generous after spending more time together.
Despite careful planning, Hekmat warned that no prenup can fully prevent messy legal and financial disputes. “My bottom line for billionaires is don’t get married.”
