UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Madonna, Chris Rock and dozens of other celebrities raised $5.5 million at a star-studded benefit at the United Nations to help poor and sick children around the world.
The $2,500-a-plate dinner and live auction hosted by Rock on Wednesday night was an unusual blend of charity and commercial promotion for the U.N. and made some of its officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, uneasy.
Gucci, which paid the costs, pegged the event to the Friday opening during New York’s Fashion Week of its Manhattan flagship store on Fifth Avenue and put its logo and UNICEF’s behind the walkway where celebrities were photographed.
The United Nations Children’s Fund relies on $1 billion in private sector donations for its $3.5 billion global budget, but the U.N. had never before granted permission to a company to erect a 42,000-square-foot tent on the north lawn of the U.N. for such a lavish event with a commercial tie-in. Gucci gave paying guests its limited edition “Gucci Loves NY” handbag, with a big red heart, costing more than $600 each.