Leonardo DiCaprio speaks on stage at the Dinner & Auction during The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation 3rd Annual Gala. (Photo : Getty Images/Handout)
The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation was able to raise an amount nearly $45 million this week in its third annual fundraising auction gala. The mission of the foundation was to protect Earth from the alarming rate of climate change and other various environmental awareness issues.
Oscar winning Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio is the chairman and founder of the foundation himself, which he also hosted in Saint-Tropez, France, alongside Milutin Gatsby, who conceptualized the event, Terry Tamminen, and Justin Winters. Prince of Monaco Albert II was awarded with the New World Leadership Award, who was the first receipient of the award honoured by the foundation.
The live auction, which was conducted by Simon de Pury, had several noteworthy collectibles and unique memorabilia. They included artworks and items fom a wide range of world famous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Urs Fischer, Jeff Koons, and some personal items from DiCaprio himself, according to The Variety.
The gala was attended by several famous actors and singers, including George Clooney, Steven Spielberg, Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell, Bradley Cooper, and Edward Norton, to name a few. Some of the auction prizes included items from these famous people: a 7-day on set with Martin Scorsese, dinner and lunch with Mariah Carey and Margot Robbie, as well as the Rolex DiCaprio was wearing when he won his Oscar award.
Bradley Cooper and Leonardo DiCaprio attend the Dinner & Auction in Saint-Tropez, France
The auction achieved a higher mark with the money it raised compared to last year's $40 million. A canvas of Picasso was sold for $3.75 million. The objective of the foundation with the money raised was to fund huge projects that addressed environmental crises and issues, which the Associated Press quoted DiCaprio as saying.
Furthermore, the gala would also be donating some of the evening's proceeds to France in light of the recent attacks in Nice, where a truck driver ran over a huge crowd of people who were celebrating Bastille Day at high speeds, killing 84 and injuring 120.
The LDF was created in 1998 as a mission to help Earth by preventing further environmental damage for the long-term health for the planet's inhabitants and the future generations to come.
