Lauren Sanchez. From being turned down for being "too big" to marrying Jeff Bezos

For a long time, he was the wealthiest man in the world, and even now, he continues to grace the top ranks of the prestigious list. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos undeniably belongs to the most influential circle of people, extending beyond just the business world. A few years ago, the billionaire started dating Lauren Sanchez, and earlier this year, he proposed aboard a gigantic, 500-million-dollar yacht. The 53-year-old who won the heart of the wealthy businessman moves among Hollywood's elite and recently posed for "Vogue". Few people are aware that her path to fame was lined with considerable challenges.

Lauren Sanchez, who grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, dreamt of a career in journalism from an early age. However, due to her battle with undiagnosed dyslexia throughout her childhood, she was compelled to give up on her aspirations. She soon decided to pursue a career as a flight attendant and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18. Despite her efforts, when she applied for a job at Southwest Airlines, she was turned down due to her weight of 119 pounds, deemed "too big", to work as a flight attendant.

Heartbroken yet resilient, Lauren continued her education at El Camino College in California. There, she rekindled her love for journalism, all thanks to a teacher who helped diagnose her dyslexia. This new understanding significantly improved her academic performance, resulting in a scholarship that allowed her to transfer to the University of Southern California. Soon, she began working as an assistant at a television station in Los Angeles. In 1994, she left school to further her full-time reporting career.

A pivotal moment in Bezos' fiancée's career was her audition for "The View", which, unfortunately, did not turn out successful. Nevertheless, Lauren did not let this setback deter her. For six years, she hosted "Good Day LA". Later, she founded her own company specializing in aerial film production. She became the host of the first season of "So You Think You Can Dance" and continued to expand her media career.

Sanchez's love life has seen numerous ups and downs, comprising failed marriages and engagements. Her list of previous partners includes a few notable names. The 53-year-old was linked to NFL star Anthony Miller and soccer player Tony Gonzalez, the father of her first son, Tony. Before becoming involved with Jeff Bezos, she was Patrick Whitesell's wife for 14 years, and together, they had a child named Evan.

Understandably, most of Lauren Sanchez's time is now dedicated to philanthropy. She serves as the vice-chair of the Bezos Earth Fund—an organization established by her fiancé to combat climate change and protect nature. Bezos's love interest is also in the process of writing her first children's book. Despite the turmoil and tenacious pursuit of her dreams in the past, the celebrity now seems to lead a content life and is preparing for her upcoming wedding.

Take a look at how Lauren Sanchez was during the early stages of her career. Would you be able to recognize her then?