Anna Wintour has spoken out about the growing debate over Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s help in financing the 2026 Met Gala.
Speaking to CNN, the longtime Met Gala architect said she is “grateful” for Sánchez Bezos’ involvement.
“I think Lauren will be a great asset to the museum and the event,” said Wintour, 76. “She is incredibly generous and loves costumes and fashion. We are thrilled to have her be part of the evening.”
Wintour recently stepped down as editor-in-chief of Vogue after 37 years, but remains Global Creative Director and Chief Content Officer of Condé Nast. She will still help oversee the 2026 gala, which will be the first hosted by her successor, Chloe Malle.
The choice to bring in Bezos as a donor has led to criticism. The Met Gala is typically funded by top fashion houses, and this change has raised concerns about the direction of the event, especially after Bezos recently attended a state dinner at the White House with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
The 2026 theme, “Costume Art,” will support the Met’s upcoming exhibition of the same name. Saint Laurent and Condé Nast will also contribute to the financing. The show opens on May 10, 2026 and runs through January 10, 2027.
Sánchez Bezos, 55, and Bezos attended the Met Gala together for the first time in 2024 under the “Garden of Time” dress code. Their relationship became public in early 2019, shortly before both finalized their divorce. Sources said this earlier PEOPLE the pair initially connected through work projects before their relationship turned romantic.
The 2026 Met Gala is scheduled for May 4, 2026.
