The Gabrielle’s Angel Ball returned to Cipriani Wall St. on Monday night, and Denise Rich’s annual gala brought in more than $3 million for cancer research. The event honors her daughter Gabrielle Rich Aouad, who died of leukemia 30 years ago, and this year her daughters and grandchildren took the stage to carry that memory forward.
The emotional centerpiece was Clive Davis. The music executive, a longtime fixture at the ball, died in June, and Rich honored him by adding a candle to the event’s vigil and asking guests for a special prayer. Deborah Cox, who emceed the evening, offered to sing and surprised the room with Whitney Houston’s“Greatest Love of All”dedicated to Davis. Rich praised her as gracious for stepping up when she didn’t have to. Dionne Warwick sent a video message due to mobility issues, and Lynda Carter spoke in honor of her late husband.
It was a night that mixed music-industry nostalgia with a cause that has driven this gala for three decades. Stars, tributes, and seven figures for research. Which tribute performance from Monday night would you have wanted a front-row seat for?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.