Madonna was the host of the evening and the fundraiser for Malawi orphans on Wednesday night.

The star threw the New York bash for her Raising Malawi Foundation, United Nations children's organization UNICEF and to celebrate the opening of a new Gucci store.

One of the reasons that Madonna got involved in the project can be her two-year-old adopted son David from the African country.

Madonna said "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."
The stars present at the show were 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, many more and Madonna’s 13-year-old daughter Lourdes.

One glittering star at the show was Jennifer Lopez who is still pregnant, and can give birth in any moment.
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 - paid for by the designer fashion label - raised an $3.7 million, to be split between Raising Malawi and UNICEF.


 


Publication date: 07 February 2008   

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