Lauren Sanchez‘s sister Elena Sánchez Blair has been quietly supporting her from the sidelines all their lives – and their love is ‘unconditional.’
Philanthropist and businesswoman Lauren, 55, recently wed Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos, 61, in a luxurious ceremony in Venice, Italy.
While celebrities – including Kim Kardashian, Orlando Bloom, Gayle King, and Oprah Winfrey – were in attendance, it was her youngest sibling, Elena, 42, who was front and center for the big day.
Here, Daily Mail’s Femail takes a closer look into Elena, her career, and her relationship with Lauren.
Lauren was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her older brothers, Paul and Michael.
Her parents later divorced, with her mother going on to remarry and welcome Elena.
Elena, who lives in Seattle, has a particularly close friendship with Lauren and the pair understand each other more than anyone.
‘My sister and I are so close that our relationship is sometimes hard for others to understand,’ Elena penned in a heartwarming birthday tribute for Lauren in December 2023. ‘It’s hard to describe.
Lauren Sanchez and her younger sister, Elena Sanchez Blair
The duo have such a close relationship that it is ‘sometimes hard for others to understand’
‘We get into our own world instantly when we are together and when we aren’t together we talk on the phone at least two times a day, usually more.
‘We have a conflict free relationship which is rare in life but it’s true. We support and care for each other unconditionally.
‘She sees me and understands me like nobody else… I am so lucky to be loved by her.
‘Lauren is the life of any party, the most generous in any room, the most empathetic human I know, she really is the most dynamic woman.
‘She is my kids’ other mother and they are so lucky for that.’
Concluding her post, Elena described Lauren as her ‘soul mate’ and ‘best friend.’
‘I love you more than any words could ever express,’ she added.
‘This is what I will remember… our family so full of love and joy,’ she captioned the upload alongside a red love heart emoji.
Tagging Lauren and Jeff, she added: ‘Love you both so much.’
Elena works has a photographer and offers photographer education to others in the field
Elena says that she and Lauren ‘support and care for each other unconditionally’
Elena has worked as a photographer for almost two decades.
She is also a registered nurse and worked in hospitals before pivoting to the art medium aged 28.
‘If you’d asked me 17 years ago if I was creative, or an artist, I would have laughed at you,’ she penned on her official website.
‘I was working full-time night shifts as a registered nurse, had a newborn baby, and was suffering from isolation and exhaustion.
‘Somehow, I thought I had «made it.» I mean, I had a Bachelor of Science and a mortgage! What more could a girl want?’
Elena made the move from nursing to photography after the birth of her son and following a house break in.
‘It was one of the most violating experiences of my life,’ she recalled.
‘My ex and I were broke and in debt up to our ears, so this felt like more than we could handle. Yet for some reason, we spent our insurance check on a new camera, the Canon 50D.
‘Call it what you will, but I don’t believe in chance. Something inside me told me to just go for it. Something inside told me I needed an outlet and perhaps photography was it
‘Little did I know, that purchase would change my life.’
Elena says that photography quickly became her and that it also unlocked her entrepreneurial side.
But disaster struck when her husband left her, and she became a single mom to their three children overnight.
‘Once again, photography saved me,’ she added. ‘My passion for this art form solidified my identity.
Elena enjoyed Lauren’s recent bachelorette party in Paris, France
She married her husband, Rob, six years ago. They met after he slid into her DMs on Instagram
‘If you’d asked me 17 years ago if I was creative, or an artist, I would have laughed at you,’ Elena penned on her official website. ‘I was working full-time night shifts as a registered nurse, had a newborn baby, and was suffering from isolation and exhaustion’
‘The prosperity of my business took on a whole new meaning. It was a lifeline, the means of survival for my family.
‘Sharing my story has strengthened my purpose which is to create from the heart, earn in a meaningful way, and empower others by providing education and resources so they too can live abundant, authentic, meaningful lives.
‘I love showing others that they can pursue their dream of becoming a photographer and that they can build a meaningful and profitable business.’
Despite breaking up with her first husband, Elena has found love again and has remarried too.
Last month, she celebrated the six-year anniversary of her husband, Rob, sliding into her DMs.
‘While our wedding anniversary isn’t until December, this day feels like the true beginning,’ she penned.
‘And it’s absolutely worth celebrating. I wasn’t sure I’d ever feel the feeling of family again, but Rob gave me that feeling instantly. We fell madly in love, fast. We went all in without ever looking back. I regret nothing about that decision.
‘Blending a family isn’t always easy, but somehow our kids just clicked. Right away. And our loud, messy home was instantly full of so much love.
‘We’ve lived a lifetime in these six years. We’ve stood beside each other through grief and joy. It’s been a dream. A happily ever after I wasn’t sure I’d ever have, but I do. And I’m grateful every single day that I replied to that one random DM that changed everything.’
