The Rita Hayworth Gala

The Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Rita Hayworth Gala and seeing a lot of old friends.  It was a beautiful night.  You can read more about in my post for Huffington Post, click on the link below.

The Legacy of Rita Hayworth

Here are many more pictures from the event, enjoy!

The beautiful and gracious Princess Yasmin Aga Kahn

My friends and hosts  Robin & Roger Meltzer and their beautiful family

Roger & Robin Meltzer

Hillary & Bryant Gumbel

My friend Cristin Maradino, editor of Greenwich Magazine, who founded
the Celebrating Hope event in Greenwich to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer's

My husband Mat and I

The beautiful Rita Hayworth

Brooke Shields, beautiful as ever, 

Tommy Hilfiger 

Below is the official press release from the evening:

Alzheimer’s Association^® raises more than $1.6 million at the 31^st Rita Hayworth Gala in New York

October 22^nd 2014 – New York: Last night, the Alzheimer’s Association^® Rita Hayworth Gala was held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, raising more than $1.6 million for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Founder and Gala Chair, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, was joined by her Gala Co-Chair Nicole Sexton, honorees Louise and Stephen Kornfeld and family as well as Mark Locks. Additional guests included Brooke Shields, Patty and John McEnroe, Deborah Norville, Hilary and Bryant Gumbel, Tommy Hilfiger, Brendan Shanahan, Regis Philbin, and Lisa Rinna.

This year marks the 31^st anniversary of the Rita Hayworth Gala, which Princess Aga Khan established in honor of her mother, legendary actress Rita Hayworth, who lived with Alzheimer’s for many years before succumbing to the disease in 1987. Since the inaugural Rita Hayworth Gala in New York more than three decades ago, the New York and Chicago events have raised more than $65 million to support Alzheimer’s Association’s critical care and research programs.  

Perfectly fitting the theme of the evening, which celebrated a ‘timeless Hollywood icon’, guests enjoyed performances by Ronnie Spector and Lesley Gore. They were also treated to a preview clip of the upcoming film ‘Still Alice’, starring Julianne Moore and Kristen Stewart, which beautifully tells the story of a Columbia University linguistics professor who receives a devastating diagnosis of Early-onset Alzheimer's Disease and finds her family bonds thoroughly tested.

Throughout the Gala, guests were able to bid on many luxurious auction items, generously donated by long-term supporters of the cause, including a unique Dennis Basso fur and a three-course dining experience in your home with Chef Eric Ripert of the three Michelin Star restaurant, Le Bernardin.

Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Gala Co-Chair Nicole Sexton, and the Alzheimer’s Association honored the Kornfeld Family with the Family Philanthropy Award, for their significant commitment to the cause, along with Mark Locks who received the Champion Award, which recognizes individuals for their support and dedication in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Additional guests in attendance included Alzheimer’s Association’s President and CEO Harry Johns and Chief Strategy Officer Angela Geiger, and Gala Steering Committee members Muffie Potter Aston; Sharon Bush; Margo Catsimatidis; Liliana Cavendish; Chele Upton Chiavacci; Somers Farkas; Nurit Kahane Haase; Michele Herbert; Susan Hess; Robin Meltzer and Daryl Simon with Young Leadership Committee members Lizzie Meltzer; Shera Kaan-Lilly and Noah Samuels.

-ends-

Notes to editors:

FOR FURTHER IMFORMATION AND IMAGERY (shot by Adriel Reboh of Patrick McMullan)

Please contact: Lizzie McManus / 917.951.6025 / alz@mcsaatchi.com  / M&C Saatchi PR

Photo caption:  Alzheimer’s Association 31^st Rita Hayworth Gala raises critically needed funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease, October 21, 2014.

About the Alzheimer’s Association®

The Alzheimer's Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research.  Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.  Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s.  For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit www.alz.org® or call 1-800-272-3900.