‘I had to come back, we’re getting married’

Lauren Sánchez is still floating from her journey to space, but it’s love that’s keeping her grounded. The media personality took part in a historic flight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, becoming part of the company’s first-ever all-female crew to travel into space. 

Among the other notable women joining her for the 11-minute voyage were fellow passengers Katy Perry, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

The author, who is engaged to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, opened up about the emotional send-off and the powerful experience of orbiting Earth in a post-flight interview with Charissa Thompson. 

Teary-eyed, she recalled the moments before takeoff: “Seeing Jeff before I left, I just went, ‘Oof,’” she said with a laugh. “I had to come back — I mean, we’re getting married. If I didn’t come back, that would be a bummer for me.”

© Blue Origin

Lauren joked about the motivation behind Bezos sending her to space. “Jeff, if you don’t want to marry me, you don’t have to send me to space,” she told him before the flight. The pair looked visibly emotional when she returned from space, sharing a sweet embrace. 

© Taylor Hill

Lauren described the flight as life-changing: “It was a feeling of joy and camaraderie. It was a feeling of gratefulness. It was a feeling of, ‘We’re doing this.’” 

The media personality was struck by the peace and beauty of Earth from above. “Earth looked so … it was so quiet. It was just quiet,” she explained. “I don’t think you can describe it. It was quiet but also really alive. And you look at it, and you’re like, ‘We’re all in this together.'”

© Stefanie Keenan/VF24

“All I could think about it is, ‘We’re so connected — more connected than you realize,'” she added. After returning safely to Earth, and straight into Bezos’ arms — Lauren now sets her sights on another big journey: marriage.

© Backgrid UK/The Grosby Group

The couple, who got engaged in May 2023, has reportedly sent out their wedding invitations. According to multiple outlets, they’ll say “I do” this summer in Italy, possibly aboard their luxurious $500 million yacht, anchored off the coast of Venice.