Lauren Sánchez was enjoying a picturesque New Year’s Eve on Jeff Bezos’ $500 million yacht, Koru, when customs officials unexpectedly intervened with a surprise inspection while the ship was near St. Barts. The 55-year-old former TV reporter, who was soaking up the Caribbean sun in a Versace bikini, saw her day take a sudden turn.
Images captured Sánchez on the upper deck, sporting a black sarong and a wide-brimmed hat, as officials in black life jackets searched the yacht. Eyewitnesses noted that a stewardess appeared to direct the officers to particular locations on the vessel.
This inspection, which lasted around three hours, was described by insiders as normal and standard for yachts in that region. While this sort of check is not unusual in luxury destinations like St. Barts during the holiday period, having notable individuals on board Koru brought extra attention to the situation.
Notably, Jeff Bezos was absent during the search, leaving Sánchez to navigate the situation with her guests. Present was her former partner, the ex-NFL star Tony Gonzalez, with whom she has a 23-year-old son, Nikko. The 48-year-old Gonzalez seemed unfazed, enjoying himself by swimming in the ocean.
Lauren Sánchez remains calm during yacht visit: Just another day on Koru
Despite the unforeseen interruption, the atmosphere remained cheerful. Sánchez was seen engaging with a stewardess, possibly receiving updates on the inspection’s progress. Her calm demeanor suggested the search minimally impacted their celebration, which included a close-knit group of friends.
This yacht trip followed the couple’s recent snowy retreat in Aspen. Sánchez and Bezos recently dismissed rumors of a $600 million wedding, with Bezos labeling such stories as “totally false.” Nevertheless, the pair has continued to indulge in extravagant festivities since their engagement in May 2023, which included a lavish yacht party last August.
Although the customs inspection added an unexpected twist to Sánchez’s sunny day, it reminds us of the scrutiny that accompanies life on one of the world’s most extravagant yachts.