Anna Wintour has come to the defense of Lauren Sanchez Bezos following criticism over Sanchez Bezos and Jeff Bezos’ newly announced role as lead sponsors of the 2026 Met Gala. Speaking to CNN in Doha, Qatar, the longtime Met Gala architect praised Sanchez Bezos’ passion for fashion and dismissed concerns about their involvement.
Anna Wintour says Lauren Sanchez will be a ‘wonderful asset to the museum’
During her appearance at the inaugural Franca Fund Gala, an event honoring late Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani, Anna Wintour highlighted Lauren Sanchez Bezos’ passion for couture. She called the former journalist and philanthropist “a great lover of costume and obviously of fashion.”
She noted that her enthusiasm for design aligns perfectly with her role as a sponsor of the 2026 Met Gala. Wintour believed Sanchez Bezos would be “a wonderful asset to the museum and to the event.” She added, “We’re very grateful for her incredible generosity,… so we’re thrilled she’s part of the night.”
Last week, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos will serve as the main backers of the 2026 gala, joining secondary sponsors Saint Laurent and Condé Nast. Their support marks another major financial partnership between the billionaire couple and a high-profile cultural institution.
Despite stepping down as Vogue’s U.S. editor-in-chief earlier this year, Wintour remains global editorial director. She also serves as Condé Nast’s chief content officer. More notably, Wintour still oversees the Met Gala, exerting direct influence over its creative direction and the roster of benefactors.
News of the Bezos sponsorship drew swift reactions online. Some critics argued that their involvement highlighted a broader trend of billionaire influence in museums and cultural institutions. Others questioned whether the funds might be better directed toward more urgent causes than a fashion gala.
Supporters, however, pointed out that the Met Gala has always relied on major luxury brands and corporate power players. For example, this year’s event was backed by Louis Vuitton. In the past, sponsorship has come from TikTok, Instagram, Apple, Yahoo, and Amazon, which supported the gala in 2012. The same year, Jeff Bezos also served as an honorary chair.
