As gondolas ferried visitors along the canals of Venice this weekend, some of the world’s biggest yachts owned by some of the world’s wealthiest people were docked just blocks away, most of them in the historic northeastern Italian city for the “Wedding of he Century” of the world’s fourth-richest man, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and award-winning TV journalist Lauren Sánchez.
Among them, according to Business Insider, were Bezos’s $500 million, 417-foot megayacht Koru; the 171-foot Were Dreams; the 172-foot Limerence; and the 196-foot Arience.
Also docked in Venice was the Kismet, the 400-foot megayacht owned by Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan.
According to reports and marinetraffic.com, the Kismet docked near the former Church of Santa Marta, a building dating to the 14th Century, on the western side of Venice near the city’s large port.
It’s unknown if the Jaguars owner, ranked at No. 197 on Forbes’ list of real-time billionaires with a net worth of $13.2 billion, was in Venice for the wedding. The Kismet, like many other megayachts, is available for charter for about $3.2 million a week.
This Kismet is Khan’s fourth yacht and third megayacht. Here’s what to know.
What is the big yacht in Venice for the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez?
The Kismet is the billionaire’s fourth and largest yacht yet. His first was a 160-foot superyacht named “Gallant Lady” which he bought from Southeast Toyota executive Jim Moran.
Khan’s first Kismet, which like the next two was built by German shipyard Lürssen, was a 197-foot superyacht delivered in 2007. It was replaced by a new 315-foot megayacht Kismet in 2014, which was later rechristened “Whisper” and put up for sale in 2020. It was reportedly purchased by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt in 2023.
How big is Shad Khan’s newest megayacht, ‘Kismet’?
The new Kismet has a length on water of 400 feet (122 meters).
It can accommodate up to 12 guests in up to nine cabins, boatinternational reported, with a crew of 36 plus the captain to serve them. The Kismet includes three pools spread out over six decks, four fireplaces, two fire pits, a spa featuring a hammam, or Turkish bath, sauna and cryotherapy chamber, plus a gym, basketball court and pickleball court. And, of course, a helipad.
For entertainment, guests can enjoy the outdoor cinema, the dance floor, the DJ station, the four bars, an underwater viewing lounge, and a variety of water devices including Jet Skis, SeaBobs, a sailing dinghy, e-foils, WaveRunners and a Riva boat for day excursions. Guests can dine in multiple formal and casual areas with everything from Michelin dining to barbecue.
Lürssen described the ship as a “beautiful, bespoke homage to the owner’s lifestyle” with sumptuously appointed interiors and an elaborate staircase.
How much is Shad Khan’s yacht worth?
The reported price tag for the latest “Kismet,” built to Khan’s specifications under “Project Jag,” was $360 million.
How much to rent Shad Khan’s yacht?
According to autoevolution.com, the Kismet was listed for charter for about $3.2 million a week. With expenses, taxes and gratuities, it could run as much as $5.4 million, Business Insider said.
How much is Shad Khan worth?
As of Feb. 6, 2025, Forbes lists Shad Khan’s net worth as $13.4 billion. He is ranked the 174th richest person in the world.
What’s the difference between a yacht, a superyacht and a megayacht?
All three are generally ridiculously luxurious, but the difference is size.
Is Shad Khan’s Kismet the largest yacht in the world?
It’s dramatically impressive, but it’s not even in the top 25.
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ $500 million, 417-foot megayacht Koru is so large a Dutch port city had to dismantle an historic bridge to let it go by, and it’s not in the top 25.
The largest yacht in the world, according to boatinternational.com, is the Azzam, a staggering 590-foot (180.6 meters) long ship reportedly built for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi’s royal family.
The rest of the yachts on the list also belong to Middle Eastern royalty, billionaires or governments. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly owns multiple yachts, including the 459-foot Scheherazade.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez tied the knot in Venice. And Shad Khan’s yacht was there
Reporting by Gary T. Mills and C. A. Bridges, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
