Anna Wintour has got the Bezoses’ backs.
The Vogue global editorial director defended Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos amid fierce backlash over their newly announced role as lead sponsors of the 2026 Met Gala.
“I think Lauren is going to be a wonderful asset to the museum and to the event,” Wintour, 76, told CNN in a red carpet interview on Sunday at the Franca Fund gala in Doha, Qatar.
Anna Wintour defended Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos on Sunday after their 2026 Met Gala sponsorship drew online criticism. Getty Images
The Vogue global editorial director called the philanthropist and former journalist “a great lover of costume and obviously of fashion.” Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Wintour, 76, spoke to CNN on the red carpet at the inaugural Franca Fund Gala last weekend in Doha, Qatar. AFP via Getty Images
“We’re very grateful for her incredible generosity,” she continued. “She’s a great lover of costume and obviously of fashion, so we’re thrilled she’s part of the night.”
The endorsement comes after the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced last week that the Bezoses would bankroll next year’s Costume Institute exhibition and accompanying gala alongside secondary sponsors Saint Laurent and Condé Nast.
The theme of the May 4 fête and spring show is “Costume Art,” exploring the role of the “dressed body” throughout the museum’s collection.
The Vogue boss said she’s “thrilled” to have Sánchez involved in fashion’s biggest night. Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
The billionaire couple was announced as lead sponsors of next year’s Met Gala alongside Saint Laurent and Condé Nast, prompting swift backlash. Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
The news of the Bezoses’ involvement sparked swift outcry on social media.
Instagram users flooded the museum’s announcement of the exhibition with comments arguing the couple is attempting to “buy” cultural legitimacy.
“This is such an iconic theme and it’s so so so sad to see it gutted and trashed by the choice in sponsorship,” one user wrote.
“The Metropolitan Museum of Art, SOLD!!! to the highest bidder,” another chimed in. “How distasteful.”
Critics on Instagram argued the billionaire couple is attempting to “buy culture” and questioned their fashion credentials for such a prominent role. Getty Images
The Bezoses made their Met Gala debut together in 2024, with Sánchez wearing a custom Oscar de la Renta gown. WireImage
Tech titans footing the bill for the Costume Institute isn’t exactly new territory — Amazon sponsored the event back in 2012, and TikTok, Instagram, Apple, and Yahoo have all written checks in years past. Billionaires Stephen A. Schwarzman and his wife, Christine, underwrote the 2018 exhibition.
The Bezoses have also been on the fashion offensive this year, sitting front row at Paris Fashion Week and palling around with the Kardashian-Jenners at exclusive brand dinners and industry fêtes.
The former journalist, 55, and her Amazon founder husband, 61, skipped the 2025 Met Gala as they were preparing for their June nuptials, but they made their red-carpet debut as a couple at the 2024 event. Sánchez also appeared on a digital cover of Vogue this June in her white lace Dolce & Gabbana wedding dress.