October 22th, 2019

The 36th Annual Alzheimer's Association Fall Benefit, founded by her daughter Princess Yasmin Aga Khan.

On Tuesday, October 22nd, the reimagined Rita Hayworth Gala, Alzheimer’s Association Fall Benefit was held at the iconic Rainbow Room and raised more than $1 million for Alzheimer’s Association care, support and research programs, while bringing awareness to a disease that affects more than 5 million Americans and more than 16 million caregivers. The event was hosted by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, daughter of Rita Hayworth and the gala’s founder and general chair. Karyn Kornfeld, Steven Kobre and Greg Smith served as chairs for the event.

               

The two-part evening began with an intimate Champions Dinner at Bar SixtyFive, where guests experienced a specially curated meal. Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, who founded the event 36 years ago in honor of her mother Rita Hayworth, who passed away with younger-onset Alzheimer's, opened the evening with remarks and an introduction to renowned flutist and former CBS News correspondent Eugenia Zukerman.  Aga Khan told the crowd, “I am grateful to people like Eugenia who bring Alzheimer’s out of the shadows.” Zukerman performed Debussy’s Syrinx on the flute, which she followed with remarks about her journey living with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as a moving reading from her forthcoming memoir Like Falling Through a Cloud, which brought the crowd to its feet.

 

The evening continued down the hall with a reception for more than 300 guests in the iconic Rainbow Room that included an intimate performance by Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist Jennifer Hudson. Following Hudson’s performance, actress Ashley Williams gave emotional remarks about how the disease has personally affected her and her family. “My mom died two years ago of Alzheimer’s disease and I get it,” Williams told the crowd. “We are all here to rage together and sing our rallying cry.  We are at war and we will win. That is something to celebrate.” Guests enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres, desserts including fluff + fluff artisanal cotton candy, and specialty cocktails, all while taking in the Rainbow Room’s striking décor.

 

Attendees included: Rita Hayworth Gala General Chair and Founder Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Fall Benefit Chairs Karyn Kornfeld, Steven Kobre and Greg Smith, performer Jennifer Hudson, speaker/performer Eugenia Zukerman, Rolex Watch USA Chief Executive Officer Luca Bernasconi, actress Ashley Williams, Peter Thomas Roth, Sharon Bush, Toni Bloomberg, as well as Host Committee Members Jay McInerney, Jen and Lonnie Wollin, Louise and Stephen Kornfeld, Margo and John Catsimatidis, Martha and Peter Webster, Naeem Khan, Nicole Sexton, and Robin and Roger Meltzer. The event is generously underwritten by Rolex Watch USA.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

On top left: Gregory Smith, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Harry Johns

1. Ashley Williams

2. Bob Murray, Sharon Bush, Jay McInerney

3. Bonnie Yassine, Jen Wollin, Toni Bloomberg

4. Eugenia Zukerman

5. Gregory Smith

6. Harry Johns

7. Hayden Hosford and Designer Naeem Khan

8. Jennifer Hudson

9. Karyn Kornfeld, Nicole Sexton, Chele Chiavacci Farley

10. Luca Bernasconi, Yaseen Bernasconi

11. Margo Catsimatidis, John Catsimatidis

12. Robin Meltzer, Roger Meltzer

13. Steven Kobre, Karyn Kornfeld, Stephen Kornfeld, Louise Kornfeld