Jeff Bezos's ties with Spain: top-level parties and ancestors in Villafrechós

Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and one of the richest men in the world, keeps a connection with Spain that goes beyond tourism or top-level leisure. From his family roots in a small village in Valladolid to the celebration of his bachelor party in Madrid and his wedding on a yacht with a stop in Mallorca, the magnate's relationship with Spain extends over time and encompasses the personal, the historical, and the symbolic.

During the San Isidro holiday, on May 15 and 16, Jeff Bezos celebrated his bachelor party in Madrid. Meanwhile, his fiancée Lauren Sánchez did so in Paris alongside celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry, Bezos chose the Spanish capital for a much more discreet celebration, but one loaded with sophistication.

The first night began at the restaurant Ten con Ten. One of the most exclusive venues in the Salamanca district, frequented by politicians, businessmen, and celebrities. There, they enjoyed a haute cuisine dinner with a wine list of more than 400 references. The presence of the magnate was not announced, and although some customers recognized him, his casual attire and the low profile of the group allowed them to enjoy a night without interruptions.

The party continued at Blondie, an art deco nightclub recently opened in Madrid's Golden Mile. They reserved a private area next to the DJ booth, where they drank Louis Roederer Cristal champagne and mingled with other high-profile guests. The atmosphere was festive but reserved, with a discreet yet effective security presence.

The next day, the group moved to Gunilla, another trendy club with a retro aesthetic and select clientele. Bezos was seen in a different outfit, fueling the idea that he had opted for two consecutive nights of celebration. They also visited the Four Seasons hotel and other private locations. Some rumors suggest that the group organized an exclusive tasting at a private winery on the outskirts of Madrid, closed just for them.

Compared to Lauren Sánchez's farewell, estimated at more than half a million euros, Bezos's was considered sober but equally refined. Without big showbiz names or ostentatious luxuries, the event showed Bezos's taste for contained elegance.

A floating wedding aboard the yacht Koru with a stop in Mallorca

The wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, scheduled for the end of June, promises to be one of the most luxurious events of the year. The ceremony will be held on the Koru, the magnate's three-masted sailing megayacht, with a prior stop in the waters of Palma de Mallorca.

The ship, 417 ft. (127 meters) long, is the second-largest sailing yacht in the world and is valued at about 500 million dollars. It was built at the Oceanco shipyards in the Netherlands and stands out for its design, which combines classic aesthetics and cutting-edge technology. The megayacht has been anchored in Palma Bay since the 10th.

The Koru features a pool at the stern, multiple top-level suites, living rooms with fine wood finishes, and a decorative figure on the bow inspired by Lauren Sánchez. Accompanying this yacht is the Abeona, a 243 ft. (74 meters) support vessel where helicopters, jet skis, and rescue equipment are stored.

Mallorca is not an improvised destination. Jeff Bezos and his partner have sailed its waters on several occasions. It was there, precisely on the Koru, where the magnate proposed to Lauren in 2023. During the stop last April, the Koru coincided with Mark Zuckerberg's yacht Launchpad at the Club de Mar. An unprecedented scene in the Mallorcan port that attracted media and onlookers.

The choice of Mallorca is not only due to the couple's romanticism but also for logistical reasons. On the island, the Koru was supplied with high-quality local products. Technical cleaning tasks were also carried out, and nautical maintenance professionals were hired. These activities represented a significant source of income for the port and its suppliers.

From Mallorca, the Koru sails to Venice, where the couple has reserved five of the most luxurious hotels, such as the Cipriani and the Gritti Palace. The guest list includes top figures like Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Eva Longoria, and Ivanka Trump. The city of canals will be secured with exceptional security measures, and the event will be followed by the press worldwide.

It has not yet been confirmed if the ceremony will take place entirely aboard the yacht or also on land. Although it is certain that the Koru will be the main stage of the wedding.

Villafrechós: the Castilian origin of the Bezos surname

Beyond the parties and yachts, Jeff Bezos's relationship with Spain is rooted in the past. The surname that has made him world-famous is not by chance, but from his adoptive father, Miguel Ángel "Mike" Bezos, a Cuban immigrant of Spanish origin. His father, Salvador Bezos, was born in 1906 in the Valladolid municipality of Villafrechós. A small village of just 500 inhabitants in the Tierra de Campos region.

The Bezos family lived in Villafrechós for generations until they emigrated to Cuba in the early 20th century. There, Mike Bezos was born, who later moved to the United States and raised Jeff as his own son. In 2011, Jeff Bezos himself visited the village accompanied by his family. The arrival was not announced, but the locals remember how he appeared unexpectedly in several high-end vehicles with a security team.

During the visit, they had lunch at a local restaurant, toured the historic center, and went to the cemetery in search of ancestors' graves. The family showed a friendly and polite attitude. Since then, the Town Hall has initiated efforts to keep the bond alive. They offered Bezos an old mansion as a possible vacation residence and proposed he be the town crier for the patron saint festivities.

In 2021, the council launched an ambitious proposal called "Bezos Origin". The project contemplated building a science fiction theme park, self-sustaining areas, museums, and research centers. The goal was to revitalize the rural area through roots tourism and innovation. Although the Bezos family appreciated the gesture, they declined to participate in the initiative. Even so, the enthusiasm in the village persists.

Villafrechós has since promoted various activities to keep the memory alive. Recently, a day dedicated to local emigrants was proposed, with Salvador Bezos as a symbolic figure.

Cultural routes have also been proposed, including the church of San Cristóbal, the cemetery, and the family home. The parish archive preserves documentation of the magnate's ancestors, and several production companies have shown interest in bringing this story to the screen.

Sergio Bezos: the comedian who claims to be "the poor cousin"

As if by a twist of fate, another Valladolid native with the surname Bezos came to the scene, albeit from a very different angle. Sergio Bezos, comedian and regular contributor to the television program "La Resistencia" and its TVE version "La Revuelta," has joked on multiple occasions about his supposed kinship with Jeff Bezos.

Although there is no known direct family connection, both share roots in Villafrechós. This has served as the perfect excuse for the comedian to exploit the anecdote in a comedic key. He has presented himself as "the poor nephew" of the Amazon founder and has fantasized about one day receiving an invitation to share a table in one of the businessman's mansions.

The town itself has joined in on the joke. On several occasions, the Town Hall has invited Jeff Bezos to participate in local festivities as Sergio's "cousin." The idea has circulated on social media and caused amusing headlines in the national press.

This way, Jeff Bezos has intertwined with the history and present of places as diverse as Madrid, Mallorca, and Villafrechós. A global millionaire with Castilian roots who, among superyachts, exclusive dinners, genealogical ties, and touches of local humor, keeps a relationship with Spain that continues to surprise.