The jaw-dropping $21-million raised last weekend for former U.S. president Bill Clinton's foundation set up to fight AIDS in Africa managed to steal the spotlight from the glitterati that attended the bash in droves. Under the pretense of celebrating Mr. Clinton's 60th birthday (which was Aug. 19 -- he's a Leo, naturally), the fabulous fest at the Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto attracted the good and the great of Canada. And we all know by now that Showbiz America stepped up with appearances by singers James Taylor and Tim McGraw, actor Kevin Spacey and comic Billy Crystal.
But Corporate Canada also stepped up -- starting by booking tables for 10 at as much as $200,000 and going on to write major cheques for auction goodies. So who had their fountain pens out? Scuttlebutt is that Peter Marrone, CEO of Yamana Gold, paid the $230,000 for the meet 'n' greet with U2's Bono in Hawaii (with a U2 concert thrown in). Apparently, Mr. Marrone outbid Goldcorp's Ian Telfer -- another mining war. We're told Mr. Marrone goaded Mr. Telfer into paying the same price for another auction item but we're not sure which one exactly.
The most heated bidding was for a trip to Africa next summer with Mr. Clinton. The eventual winner paid $1.3-million and we hear that person was Michael Cooper, CEO of Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust -- and apparently a friend of Mr. Clinton's. Further word is that Mr. Cooper split the tab with TD Securities vice-chairman Bob Dorrance.
And a bit of dynastic trivia: The Clinton bash was honoured by the presence of three former chief executive officers of Yorkton Securities -- Scott Paterson, Frank Giustra and Robert Cross. Mr. Giustra, also of Lions Gate Entertainment fame, threw an after-party on an upper floor of the Royal York. We hear Mr. Crystal was one of those feeling the afterglow.