Leonardo DiCaprio’s foundation is $40 million richer thanks to a fundraising gala Wednesday night in St. Tropez worthy of a former role: “The Great Gatsby.”
As it turns out, the event was hosted by Foundation chairman DiCaprio and LDF Global Fundraising chairman Milutin Gatsby.
It raised money to protect “Earth’s last wild places” and seek to preserve the environment.
“Tonight’s event is about supporting LDFs efforts to protect key species like the tiger, rhino, shark, and mountain gorilla by working with governments to conserve the jungles, coral reefs and forests they call home,” he said. “By focusing on protecting these critically endangered iconic species is almost like setting up a worldwide network of Noah’s arks.”
In a live auction, DiCaprio offered items including his own Rolex Daytona Cosmograph watch, and Andy Warhol and Bansky artworks from his personal collection. The items raised close to $2 million.
For more than $11 million, Tom Barrack bought an estate home on DiCaprio’s own Belize island.
Prince Albert II of Monaco donated an arctic expedition, which sold for more than $1.6 million, and private diving at Monaco’s protected Larvotto Marine Reserve, which raised over $400,000.
A private concert with Elton John sold twice for a total of $3 million.
See all the items auctioned at the LDF website.