Elton John and John Legend were surprise performers at Leo DiCaprio‘s 2nd annual star-studded environmental fundraiser on Wednesday in St-Tropez — and Sir Elton even auctioned off two private concerts for $3 million total. The night raised more than $40 million for the “Wolf of Wall Street” star’s Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, and one guest called it “the biggest environmental fundraiser ever.”
Besides singing hits including “Tiny Dancer,” Elton added $3 million during an auction, when he sold off the private shows in front of guests including Monaco’s Prince Albert, Marion Cotillard, Kate Hudson, Naomi Campbell, Goldie Hawn, Heidi Klum, Orlando Bloom, Irina Shayk, Chrissy Teigen and Leo’s model girlfriend Kelly Rohrbach.
But first DiCaprio kicked off bidding at the Riviera auction with an impassioned plea, telling guests their support would help protect “the tiger, rhino, shark, and mountain gorilla,” and that, “We’ve decimated our forests, wild lands, polluted and over fished our rivers and oceans … I’m incredibly proud to be part of a night that will allow us to do so much to protect the planet.“
He then auctioned off personal items including the Rolex Daytona off his wrist, plus artworks from his own collection by Andy Warhol and Bansky, that brought in $2 million total.
Auctioneer Simon de Pury stepped in to sell off further lots including a luxury home on DiCaprio’s island resort in Belize — Blackadore Caye — which was snapped up by Colony Capital’s Tom Barrack for over $11 million. Blackadore’s being developed as “the world’s greenest resort” and there are apparently 45 estates left on the island which are shown by invitation only.
Billionaire Len Blavatnik bought a painting by Rudolf Stingel for $900,000, and dropped more than $2 million on the night overall. Another bidder bought a 2012 Richard Prince work for more than $2 million.
Moguls also donated lots to the event.
Harvey Weinstein, who worked with DiCaprio on “Gangs of New York” and “The Aviator,” offered bidders access with him to the Oscars plus other high-profile events like the Cannes Film Festival, Met Gala and White House Correspondents Dinner. The package, which also included a visit to a Hollywood movie set, went for $1.1 million.
Prince Albert donated a chance for thrill seekers to dive at Monaco’s unique protected Larvotto Marine Reserve, plus an arctic expedition.
A limited “re-edition” of Rodin’s most famous sculpture, “The Thinker,” sold for nearly $2 million.
Also spotted at the gala were gallerist Larry Gagosian, Formula One star Lewis Hamilton, Joan Collins, Adrien Brody, Petra Nemcova, Chris Tucker, Sylvester Stallone, Julius Baer CEO Boris F.J. Collardi, Phillipe Cousteau, David Furnish, Caroline Scheufele and Milutin Gatsby.
DJ Cassidy spun tunes deep into the night when the dancing began.
This article originally appeared in the New York Post.
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