Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are preparing to tie the knot in Venice today at what promises to be one of the most lavish weddings the world has ever seen, surrounded by a star-studded guestlist including everyone from Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka to billionaire Kim Kardashian. As the eagerly awaited nuptials draw nearer, Express takes a closer look at what Lauren's financial status is behind the scenes.

The 55-year-old has an estimated worth of £30 million, according to the Celebrity Net Worth website, and while it's a drop in the ocean in comparison to the £165 billion Bezos boasts, her pay packet is still far above average - so how did she accrue her fortune? The New Mexico native started out by studying Broadcast Journalism at the University of Southern California - but now she is a qualified pilot too, earning from her media career, speaking engagements and even an aerial production company. That's in addition, of course, to the joint property portfolio her and Jeff benefit from, including multimillion pound retreats in Beverly Hills, Hawaii and Washington DC.

She started out as a reporter on a regional news station in Phoenix, Arizona after graduating, but later went to Fox Sports Net, where she earned an Emmy nomination, and later, Fox 11 News At Ten, among others.

She was the original host of Fox's televised entertainment contest So You Think You Can Dance and went on to co-found a film and documentary company, Pursuit Productions, with billionaire Dan Friedkin.

Then, at the age of 40, she followed in the footsteps of her flight instructor and plane mechanic dad by learning how to be a helicopter pilot and receiving her official license.

Soon afterwards, she made history by launching the first ever female-owned aerial production company, which offered aerial filming services for TV and film projects including Dunkirk and Miss Bala.

She made no secret of her passion for the industry, admitting she wanted to be piloting a helicopter "all the time" as she was "completely satisfied" each time she entered airspace.

Now Lauren can add being an author to her list of credits, after penning kids' book The Fly Who Flew To Space, which was published last year.

Alongside her achievements, she has also been lucky in love and is reportedly delighted to now be tying the knot with Jeff Bezos after a six year romance.

The welcome party in Venice got off to a dramatic start as high-profile guests were lashed with rain amid a huge thunderstorm - but, starting married life as she means to go on, proceedings have definitely been eventful.