Lauren Sánchez Knows She’s 'Lucky' to 'Be Part of' Billion-Dollar Charity That’s ‘Genuinely Making a Difference' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Lauren Sánchez.Lauren Sánchezis reflecting on her philanthropic work and making a difference in the world.In this week’s issue of PEOPLE, Sánchez — who is also preparing for the upcoming release of her children’s book,The Fly Who Flew to Space— opens up about the commitment to giving back she shares with fiancéJeff Bezos.“With the Bezos Earth Fund, we’re all about big ideas, Jeffkicked things off with a $10 billion commitmentto tackle climate change, and as Vice Chair, I’m all in on that vision,” says Sánchez, 54. “We’re working on everything fromconserving natureto rethinking how we produce food.““I’m a big believer that we can innovate our way out of this crisis. Sure, some ideas might not pan out, but others will, and those could be game changers,” she adds. “My hope is that what we’re doing now will inspire others, today and in the future, to push the envelope and create the kind of technologies that’ll secure a sustainable planet for all of us.“Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez in 2023.Kevin Mazur/GettyThe mom of three says that her philanthropy journey began when she was “just a kid.““My nana used to volunteer at a local hospital, and we’d bake banana bread together to hand out to the nurses and doctors. It’s such a simple thing, but it left a mark on me,” she says. “Philanthropy, to me, is about more than just giving, it’s about making a real, lasting impact that helps shape the world for future generations.“For more on Lauren Sánchez’s life now and her quiet moments with fiancé Jeff Bezos, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, orsubscribe.Another meaningful experience has been her work withThis Is About Humanity, an organization focused on raising awareness and providing support for families at the U.S.-Mexico border.“Being there with my kids, meeting these incredible families, and just spending time together — it was so real and heartwarming,” says Sánchez, who shares 23-year-old son Nikko Gonzales with retired football player Tony Gonzales, and two teenage children, Evan and Ella, with her ex-husband, top Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell.“We made meals, baked cupcakes, and handed out backpacks stuffed with games and essentials,” she adds. “The smiles on those kids’ faces — I still think about them.“The Emmy award-winning journalist also says it’s “super emotional” to “see the impact that theCourage and Civility Awardis having.““Each year, we get togive $100 million to people who are out there making a differencewith such grace and bravery,” she adds, noting that past recipients have included “incredible” people, like Van Jones,José Andrés,Dolly Parton,Eva Longoria, and Admiral Bill McRaven.“Seeing how they’re changing lives is just… wow,” she says. “It’s a reminder of how lucky I am to be part of something that’s genuinely making a difference.”

Lauren Sánchez.

Lauren Sánchezis reflecting on her philanthropic work and making a difference in the world.In this week’s issue of PEOPLE, Sánchez — who is also preparing for the upcoming release of her children’s book,The Fly Who Flew to Space— opens up about the commitment to giving back she shares with fiancéJeff Bezos.“With the Bezos Earth Fund, we’re all about big ideas, Jeffkicked things off with a $10 billion commitmentto tackle climate change, and as Vice Chair, I’m all in on that vision,” says Sánchez, 54. “We’re working on everything fromconserving natureto rethinking how we produce food.““I’m a big believer that we can innovate our way out of this crisis. Sure, some ideas might not pan out, but others will, and those could be game changers,” she adds. “My hope is that what we’re doing now will inspire others, today and in the future, to push the envelope and create the kind of technologies that’ll secure a sustainable planet for all of us.“Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez in 2023.Kevin Mazur/GettyThe mom of three says that her philanthropy journey began when she was “just a kid.““My nana used to volunteer at a local hospital, and we’d bake banana bread together to hand out to the nurses and doctors. It’s such a simple thing, but it left a mark on me,” she says. “Philanthropy, to me, is about more than just giving, it’s about making a real, lasting impact that helps shape the world for future generations.“For more on Lauren Sánchez’s life now and her quiet moments with fiancé Jeff Bezos, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, orsubscribe.Another meaningful experience has been her work withThis Is About Humanity, an organization focused on raising awareness and providing support for families at the U.S.-Mexico border.“Being there with my kids, meeting these incredible families, and just spending time together — it was so real and heartwarming,” says Sánchez, who shares 23-year-old son Nikko Gonzales with retired football player Tony Gonzales, and two teenage children, Evan and Ella, with her ex-husband, top Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell.“We made meals, baked cupcakes, and handed out backpacks stuffed with games and essentials,” she adds. “The smiles on those kids’ faces — I still think about them.“The Emmy award-winning journalist also says it’s “super emotional” to “see the impact that theCourage and Civility Awardis having.““Each year, we get togive $100 million to people who are out there making a differencewith such grace and bravery,” she adds, noting that past recipients have included “incredible” people, like Van Jones,José Andrés,Dolly Parton,Eva Longoria, and Admiral Bill McRaven.“Seeing how they’re changing lives is just… wow,” she says. “It’s a reminder of how lucky I am to be part of something that’s genuinely making a difference.”

Lauren Sánchezis reflecting on her philanthropic work and making a difference in the world.

In this week’s issue of PEOPLE, Sánchez — who is also preparing for the upcoming release of her children’s book,The Fly Who Flew to Space— opens up about the commitment to giving back she shares with fiancéJeff Bezos.

“With the Bezos Earth Fund, we’re all about big ideas, Jeffkicked things off with a $10 billion commitmentto tackle climate change, and as Vice Chair, I’m all in on that vision,” says Sánchez, 54. “We’re working on everything fromconserving natureto rethinking how we produce food.”

“I’m a big believer that we can innovate our way out of this crisis. Sure, some ideas might not pan out, but others will, and those could be game changers,” she adds. “My hope is that what we’re doing now will inspire others, today and in the future, to push the envelope and create the kind of technologies that’ll secure a sustainable planet for all of us.”

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez in 2023.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

The mom of three says that her philanthropy journey began when she was “just a kid.”

“My nana used to volunteer at a local hospital, and we’d bake banana bread together to hand out to the nurses and doctors. It’s such a simple thing, but it left a mark on me,” she says. “Philanthropy, to me, is about more than just giving, it’s about making a real, lasting impact that helps shape the world for future generations.”

For more on Lauren Sánchez’s life now and her quiet moments with fiancé Jeff Bezos, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, orsubscribe.

Another meaningful experience has been her work withThis Is About Humanity, an organization focused on raising awareness and providing support for families at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Being there with my kids, meeting these incredible families, and just spending time together — it was so real and heartwarming,” says Sánchez, who shares 23-year-old son Nikko Gonzales with retired football player Tony Gonzales, and two teenage children, Evan and Ella, with her ex-husband, top Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell.

“We made meals, baked cupcakes, and handed out backpacks stuffed with games and essentials,” she adds. “The smiles on those kids’ faces — I still think about them.”

The Emmy award-winning journalist also says it’s “super emotional” to “see the impact that theCourage and Civility Awardis having.”

“Each year, we get togive $100 million to people who are out there making a differencewith such grace and bravery,” she adds, noting that past recipients have included “incredible” people, like Van Jones,José Andrés,Dolly Parton,Eva Longoria, and Admiral Bill McRaven.

“Seeing how they’re changing lives is just… wow,” she says. “It’s a reminder of how lucky I am to be part of something that’s genuinely making a difference.”

source: people.com