Madonna hosted a star-studded fundraiser for Malawi orphans on Wednesday night.
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The Hung Up singer, who has a two-year-old adopted son David from the African country, threw the New York bash for her Raising Malawi Foundation, United Nations children’s organisation UNICEF and to celebrate the opening of a new Gucci store.
Madonna, who dismissed rumours the event was raising money for Kabbalah, said: “I am grateful that Gucci has underwritten this event, that’s all that matters to me – their generosity. There’s always controversy surrounding anything that involves change.
“I want to put Raising Malawi on the map. I want credibility as a philanthropic organisation. I want to inspire people. I don’t want them to just write me a cheque – I want them to give me a piece of their heart.”
A host of A-list stars attended the party, including Tom Cruise and wife Katie Holmes, Heidi Klum, Demi Moore and husband Asthon Kutcher, Lucy Liu, Gwen Stefani and husband Gavin Rossdale, Drew Barrymore, Salma Hayek, Dita Von Teese, Nelly Furtado and Madonna’s 13-year-old daughter Lourdes.
A heavily-pregnant Jennifer Lopez, wearing a floor-length flowing black dress with animal print belt, arrived on the red carpet with husband Marc Anthony, while Madonna’s close friend Gwyneth Paltrow partied in a short pink dress with an oversized bow.
Alicia Keys, Timbaland and Rihanna performed, while comedian Chris Rock hosted an auction which offered to chance to have an aerobics lesson with Madonna.
Gucci Chief Executive Mark Lee said the dinner – which was paid for by the designer fashion label – raised an impressive USD3.7 million, which will be split between Raising Malawi and UNICEF.
