Who Is Jeff Bezos' Girlfriend? All About Lauren Sánchez

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez

Jeff Bezos and news anchor Lauren Sánchez went public with their relationship in 2019 after Bezos announced his divorce from wife of 25 years, MacKenzie.

At the time, the former Good Day LA co-host was also divorcing her husband of 13 years, Patrick Whitesell, one of Hollywood's most powerful agents.

A source told PEOPLE Sánchez and Bezos had been spending more time together in the months leading up to the divorce.

In the years since the news broke, their relationship has continued to grow, with the couple going on family vacations together, advocating for climate change and packing on the PDA.

They're particularly focused on their acts of philanthropy as a couple. "You can see and hear their excitement when they meet with partners on the climate, education, and homelessness work," a source told PEOPLE.

Sánchez also seems to share Bezos' interest in space. During a November 2022 interview with CNN, she spoke about plans to launch into orbit in 2023. She explained that she won't blast off with Bezos but will instead join a crew of women.

So, who is Jeff Bezos' girlfriend? Here's everything to know about Lauren Sánchez and her relationship with the Amazon founder.

She was friendly with Bezos in the past

Todd Williamson/Getty Patrick Whitesell, Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos

Sánchez and her ex-husband, Whitesell, were photographed with Bezos in 2016 at a holiday party for Manchester by the Sea. The film was produced by Matt Damon (one of Whitesell's clients) and distributed by Bezos' Amazon.

Whitesell was aware the relationship between Bezos and Sánchez had turned romantic.

"Patrick and Lauren have been on and off for a while and have been separated. [Patrick] knew they were seeing each other," an insider tells PEOPLE.

RELATED: Jeff Bezos Now Dating News Anchor Lauren Sánchez —Who's Also Getting Divorced: Sources

She's used to mingling with the stars

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Sánchez and Bezos are often seen dining out with Hollywood's elite.

In July 2022, the two ate dinner with Tom Cruise at London's exclusive The Twenty Two. They were also spotted at celebrity hotspot Nobu in Malibu and high-profile events such as Wimbledon's men's final.

When Bezos returned from his space flight in 2021, Sánchez planned a massive party to celebrate his accomplishment.

"Those coming are close family and friends (Jeff's brother was also on the rocket), including all of the couple's children," a source told PEOPLE at the time.

Sánchez had a long career in television

Los Angeles TV audiences might be familiar with Sánchez through her work as a former co-host on Fox's Good Day LA from 2011 to 2017. She has also appeared on Extra as an entertainment reporter.

In 2005, Sánchez became the original host of the dancing competition series So You Think You Can Dance, but left the show after one season to have her second child. She has also appeared as a guest co-host on The View.

The mother of three has also featured in films such as The Longest Yard, The Day After Tomorrow, Fight Club and Ted 2.

She's a pilot who now flies helicopters for movies

Lauren Sanchez Instagram

On top of being a news anchor and mother, Sánchez also specializes in aerial filming and served as a consultant on Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"I had my job, I had a career, and then I found a calling," she told the publication. "I loved entertainment and I loved filming, and so I got to combine all of it."

She earned her helicopter pilot's license in June 2016 and created Black Ops Aviation, an aerial film and production company.

RELATED: Will Jeff Bezos' $137 Billion Divorce Be the Most Expensive in History?

Sánchez told THR she regularly flies with her kids. "I want to be in a helicopter all the time," she said. "Life can be so chaotic with so much going on. Lift off and you're in an energy space that no one else is in. It's calming. When I'm up there, I'm completely satisfied. I'm like, 'This is where I need to be.'"

The pilot was also hired to film aerial shots for Bezos' company Blue Origin, according to Page Six.

She recently worked as an aerial producer in Catherine Hardwicke's upcoming Miss Bala starring Gina Rodriguez.

She wants the world to see Bezos the way she does

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage

Sánchez shared a tribute to Bezos on her social media platforms for his 58th birthday, saying, "If I had one wish for you on this 58th time around the sun, it would be that the world will see you through my eyes."

She added that while most people know him for his brilliance, she sees his heart. "They don't see the man who puts everything aside to help a sick friend, but my eyes do. They don't see the man who wakes up early every morning to make breakfast for the kids so they can laugh and talk about life and science and how to make this world a better place—my eyes do. They don't see the man who wants everyone to feel joy, who's heart is immeasurable and who's ability to love is infinite. My eyes see this," she wrote.

In a WSJ. Magazine interview published on Jan. 25, 2023, Sánchez spoke about the side of Bezos most people don't get to see. "He's really funny," she said, adding, "He makes me laugh all the time. He can be goofy."

Sánchez also said the billionaire has a very distinct laugh, explaining, "If I'm at a party and we get separated, all I have to do is wait a second and he laughs and it's like, he's over there."

She's passionate about climate change

Lauren Sanchez Instagram

Sánchez and Bezos met with Prince Charles in 2021 to discuss fighting climate change.

She shared some photos of the couple with Prince Charles in addition to one of Bezos alone. "I snapped this photo during a brief walk," she wrote, saying it was "a reminder of how the natural world is so stunning and beautiful, and that we must do our part to protect it."

In 2022 she also traveled with Bezos to Colombia's Chiribiquete National Park to learn about local deforestation in light of work undertaken by the Bezos Earth Fund to support conservation groups in the area.

She had a different name in college

Sánchez attended El Camino College in Torrance, California in the early 1990s where she wrote for the school newspaper. According to her alma mater's website, at the time she was known as Wendy Sánchez.

Her brother sued Bezos

While Sánchez is quiet about her personal life, court documents show her older brother, talent manager Michael Sánchez, sued Bezos and a consultant of his for claiming to the press that he had leaked "graphic, nude photographs" of Bezos.

The claims came in response to a story by The National Enquirer that shared personal text messages between Sánchez and Bezos, outing their relationship.

Michael Sánchez claimed the fallout from Bezos' comments had the consequence of "alienating him from his family and professional colleagues" and that he was only working with the Enquirer to control the narrative for his sister, not to leak salacious photos.

But, Sánchez claims her older brother was in the wrong. "He secretly provided my most personal information to the National Enquirer – a deep and unforgivable betrayal. My family is hurting over this new baseless and untrue lawsuit, and we truly hope my brother finds peace," she said in a statement through her lawyer.