Why people aren't happy about Bezos-Sanchez sponsoring the Met Gala
What's the story
Anna Wintour, the global editorial director of Vogue and chief content officer for Condé Nast, has defended the decision to have former journalist and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, as a lead sponsor for the 2026 Met Gala. Speaking at the Franca Fund Gala in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday, she called Sanchez Bezos a "great lover of costume and obviously of fashion." The 2026 Met Gala is scheduled for May 4, 2026.
Appreciation
But their involvement had triggered backlash online
Wintour said she was "thrilled" with Sanchez Bezos's involvement in the event and thanked her for her "incredible" generosity. She added, "We're very grateful for her incredible generosity, so we're thrilled she's part of the night." The announcement of Sanchez Bezos and Bezos as lead sponsors last week sparked criticism on social media, with some arguing it reflects a trend toward billionaire control over cultural institutions.
Historical context
Past sponsors of the Met Gala
Traditionally, luxury houses have sponsored the gala and its exhibition. This year's event was sponsored by Louis Vuitton. However, previous sponsors also include tech giants like TikTok, Instagram (Meta), Apple, Yahoo, and even Amazon. Amazon was a sponsor in 2012, and Bezos served as an honorary chair.
Cultural legitimacy
Sanchez Bezos's increasing involvement in the fashion industry
The decision to sponsor the gala is seen by some as an attempt by the couple to gain cultural and fashion legitimacy. This has drawn comparisons between Sanchez Bezos and Kim Kardashian's journey into the fashion world. CNN noted how a decade ago, Kardashian transitioned from reality TV star to a major player in high fashion, aided by Wintour's endorsement and a Vogue cover with her then husband, rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West).
Sustainable fashion
Sanchez Bezos's Earth Fund partnership with CFDA
Sanchez Bezos's Earth Fund recently announced a $6.25 million partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to promote sustainability in fashion. The couple also attended the 2024 Met Gala and graced the cover of Vogue US in June 2025. They were spotted at Paris Fashion Week, attending Chanel and Balenciaga shows while donning vintage looks curated by celebrity stylist Molly Dickson. They had to miss out on this year's gala due to their wedding.
Timing
Gala is getting bigger amid layoffs
Along with the announcement of next year's Met Gala theme, the Met also announced a new 12,000-square-foot space dedicated to the Costume Institute. It'll be named after Condé M Nast, the late founder of Vogue's parent company Condé Nast, and it's getting built thanks to an undisclosed donation from the company. Critics have noted how the gala is getting billionaire sponsors, the institute is getting big donations, but the publication chain has been laying off young writers and editors.