Aussie star Pia Whitesell’s link to Jeff Bezos’ much talked about wedding to Lauren Sanchez

A former Home and Away star shares a surprise connection with Jeff Bezos’ much talked about wedding to Lauren Sanchez.

Jeff Bezos and his new wife Lauren Sanchez may be sailing off into the Italian sunset following their extravagant nuptials in Venice this weekend.

But it wasn’t always smooth sailing in their relationship, with an Aussie actress later finding herself in the tangled web.

In 2019, it was exposed by US tabloid newspaper National Enquirer that the Amazon founder had been having an eight-month affair with former news anchor Sanchez.

The news effectively ended their respective marriages: Bezos’ 25-year marriage to novelist MacKenzie Scott, and Sanchez’ 14-year marriage to Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell.

Jeff Bezos was married to MacKenzie Scott for 25 years before their 2019 split. Picture: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Lauren Sanchez was married to Patrick Whitesell for 14 years before they too split in 2019. Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Bezos and Sanchez were married in Italy this weekend. Picture: Instagram

But don’t feel too bad for the dejected spouses: Scott walked away with $US38 billion ($58 billion) worth of Amazon stock and Whitesell still had his cushy net worth of $US450 million ($690 million).

Then, months after his divorce from Sanchez, who is the mother of his two children, 60-year-old Whitesell found love again with former Home and Away star, Pia Miller, 41.

Pia Whitesell began dating Sanchez’s ex-husband in 2019.

The Home and Away actress married Whitesell in 2021.

Unlike the hoopla in Venice for the Bezos-Sanchez wedding, Whitesell married Pia in a secret ceremony in 2021, and thus she became Pia Whitesell.

The actress, who affectionately hashtags their couple posts “PW2”, has since moved into the Hollywood exec’s sprawling $57 million mansion in Los Angeles along with her two sons from previous relationships: Isaiah, 22, and Lennox, 18.

The couple live in a $57 million mansion in LA.

Pia with her sons Isaiah (left) and Lennox.

The couple enjoy the quiet life away from spotlight and live in complete contrast to the Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55.

Even this weekend, when the newlyweds were living large in Venice, Whitesell and Pia enjoyed casual lunches and dinners with friends.

Whitesell was seen out and about in LA, while his ex-wife Sanchez was preparing to marry Bezos in Italy. Picture: RF / BACKGRID

Pia was also seen enjoying a casual dinner with a friend in LA this weekend. Picture: The Daily Stardust / BACKGRID

Pia also showed off her natural beauty on a stroll with a friend on Friday afternoon. Picture: The Daily Stardust / BACKGRID

She was even seen preparing to tuck into some Aussie snacks, such as Tim Tams, Burger Rings, Twisties and Minties, sent to her by an Aussie friend.

“Mate!!! Nothing says I [heart emoji] U quite like this,” she captioned a photo on Instagram.

Although Whitesell and Pia shy away from the spotlight, they still live a very privileged life. This year alone, they have travelled to Ireland, Spain and Sydney, where Pia lived for the bulk of her acting career.

Pia visited Australia in January for New Year’s festivities.

The actress still loves tucking into Aussie snacks from home.

The couple spent the New Year’s break in the Harbour City, where they chartered a yacht for a few days to enjoy with their family and friends.

Both Whitesell and Pia have not spoken publicly about their relationship, but the actress has paid tribute to her husband on Instagram many times.

“Patric️k, Here’s to many more years of laughter, love, and making incredible memories. We love you deeply, and can’t wait to see what this next chapter brings!!!️” she wrote in a February post for his birthday.

“As you celebrate this milestone, my wish for you is to embrace this journey with all the joy and love it brings. You’ve worked so hard, loved so deeply, and led with such GRACE — it’s time to enjoy life to its fullest!

“I pray that God continues to bless you with good health, happiness, and endless joy in the years to come!! Deeply loved, Greatly blessed and highly favoured. I Love you always.”

Originally published as Aussie star Pia Whitesell’s link to Jeff Bezos’ much talked about wedding to Lauren Sanchez