Bill Clinton Hosts Stars And Politicians At Mandela Day Gala

[Alicia Keys, Bill Clinton. All photos by CHANCE YEH for PMc]

Is there anyone more worthy of celebration than Nelson Mandela? Bill Clinton doesn't seem to think so. The former President hosted a star-studded auction and gala dinner in honor of the first Mandela Day and Mandela's 91st birthday at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central. Graca Machel,  Mandela's wife, attended the celebration, as did Alicia Keys, Russell Simmons, Josh Groban, Keisha Whitaker, Karolina Kurkova and Fern Mallis. Also in attendance was everybody's favorite crush from the 1950s, Harry Belafonte, and Morgan Freeman, who, perhaps wisely, attended without his step Grand daughter/fiancee. The event culminated in a Christie's auction, which raised funds for The Nelson Mandela Foundation.

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Alessandro Bazzoni, Karolina Kurkova   Morgan Freeman

Alfre Woodard                                President Bill Clinton, Graca Machel

Harry Belafonte                             Fern Mallis

Josh Groban                                   Gloria Gaynor

Russell Simmons                           Bebe Winans, Prudence Inzerillo, Jerry Inzerillo

Keisha Whitaker                                Phillip Bloch