Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez's families knew about affair months ago: report

Apparently, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's significant others knew about their affair as early as last fall -- months before it was revealed to the public last week.

Though previous reports claimed that Sanchez's husband, Patrick Whitesell, was "blindsided" when news of their tryst broke in the National Enquirer last week hours after Bezos' divorce announcement, a source close to the situation told People this week that, in fact, the affair quietly came to light months ago.

"Their families dealt with this in the fall," the insider revealed.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Jeff Bezos' mistress, Lauren Sanchez

In a joint statement with wife of 25 years, MacKenzie, last week, the Amazon CEO announced that they were getting a divorce. Sanchez, who has been married to Whitesell, a high-power Hollywood agent, for 13 years, is also calling it quits on her marriage.

Despite the release of intimate -- and occasionally lewd -- text messages between Bezos and Sanchez before Sanchez shared them with a friend, Bezos "doesn't blame" the former "Extra" host for the leak, and the couple reportedly plans on continuing their relationship, which began about nine months ago.

"The world is catching up to it, but it has had zero impact on their relationship," the People insider explained. "They've never been stronger."

Though it's unclear when Jeff and MacKenzie decided to end their marriage, their public announcement of their decision came at an opportune time just hours before the CEO's affair was revealed. The $140 billion man had prepared his wife for the story coming out.

SEE ALSO: Jeff Bezos caught with mistress at the Golden Globes

"Jeff had told MacKenzie about Lauren and that the story was going to be coming out, so she was prepared," a source told Page Six. "They're focusing on the kids and their welfare right now. Jeff spent all week at home with the family. They're still living together at the moment."

Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos share three sons and a daughter together. Lauren Sanchez and Patrick Whitesell have two children together, and Sanchez has an older son from a previous relationship.