Lauren Wendy Sánchez (born December 19, 1969) is an American journalist, author and philanthropist who gained fame as an entertainment reporter and news anchor.

[1] In 2024, Sánchez released her debut children's book, The Fly Who Flew to Space, which became a New York Times bestseller.

[5][failed verification] In 2016, after learning to fly at age 40 and getting her pilot's license, she founded Black Ops Aviation, the first female-owned aerial film and production company.

[8] She anticipated flying to space in early 2024 with an all-female crew on board a New Shepard rocket,[9] but as of January 2025[update], that has not happened.

[14] In October 2024, Sánchez and Bezos pledged $60 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to enable the restoration and improved management of 1,600,000 acres (2,500 square miles) of land across more than a dozen states.

[15] Sanchez was also honored by American nonprofit environmental organization Conservation International with its Global Visionary Award for her commitment to supporting pressing nature issues.

[16][17][18] She also works with the Bezos Day One Fund, which helps homeless families with housing and free preschool education.

[22][23] A third-generation Mexican-American,[22] she attended Del Norte High School, participating in cheerleading and student assembly, and working at The Beach water park.

She later moved to California and attended El Camino College, where she was diagnosed with dyslexia after a professor identified her learning differences.

[22] In August 2005, she married Patrick Whitesell, a Hollywood agent and founding partner of Endeavor talent agency.