The Ziegfeld Ballroom has seen its share of great nights, but the 10th Annual Hope Rising Benefit, hosted by the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, certainly stood out among them. Candle-lit tables topped with tall flowers framed the space in the best possible way, the candles casting a warm glow over a sea of pinks and reds to create the kind of atmosphere that makes a workday in midtown Manhattan briefly feel like somewhere else entirely.
The beneficiary seat, as always, was a billionaire businessman and philanthropist Donald Newhousewho in 2021 made a record-breaking $20 million donation to the organization—the largest single gift in its 20-year history. AFTD supports caregivers, education and scientific research into early stage dementia, and Newhouse dedicated this donation to his late wife and brother Si Newhouse, who both lost to the disease. Although he could not attend, his daughter, Kathy Newhouse Mswho serves as vice-chair that night, honored his legacy from the podium: “I know that many of you miss my father as he misses you.” This event represents the fulfillment of a promise he made to himself.
At the beginning of the evening, well-heeled guests sipped rosewater cocktails and olive martinis as canapés swirled in an area of cascading suits, elegant dresses and glittering jewelry. The fuchsia step and repeat was abuzz with activity as the assembled VIPs vied for opportunities to chat with the model, actress, author and lawyer. Emma Heming Williswife of actor Bruce Willis, who lives with frontotemporal dementia and was the evening’s honoree along with his wife.
In total, $2.1 million was raised to support research on the disease. When Heming Willis accepted the Susan Newhouse & Si Newhouse Award of Hope on behalf of herself and her husband, who will be officially diagnosed with FTD in 2023, she announced the launch of the Emma & Bruce Willis Fund for Dementia Research and Caregiver Support. “You may be honoring me and Bruce tonight, but the credit goes to you,” he added. “He saw us. He surrounded us with community. He gave us hope.”
The viewer found a Tony Award winner Alex Newell he slides into a chair opposite a biotech founder Zandy Forbes—grandson of the late New York magnate Allen B. Forbes—who cut a striking figure in a red velvet cap. Closer, Senator Michelle Hinchley sold, he laughs Steven NewhouseDonald’s son, across the way from the filmmaker M. Night Shyamlan. And a brilliant filmmaker Katie Prentiss he was all smiles as he walked through the crowd.
After the evening’s speeches, Newell took the stage and performed a passionate and heartfelt rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” with us. Once on this island “The Heart of Man.” When the dinner bell rang, the media mogul Anna Wintour again David Zaslav by Warner Bros. Discovery, both co-hosts of the evening, found their places among the frenzy of guests to jovial jazz music. Wintour was radiant in an embellished beaded gown, her signature bob perfectly coiffed and perfect for the evening’s tightly chosen look.
“Just 10 years ago, this event was just a vision,” announced the ten-time Emmy Award-winning newscaster and documentarian. Paula Zahn there was applause, as plates of orange carrot salad were placed on crisp white tablecloths. Moments later, the black velvet curtains were closed by bustling staff, and the AFTD gala, suddenly closed and bathed in a warm pink glow, felt a world away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
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