World leaders and A-list stars pay glittering tribute to Nelson Mandela and raise $10 million for charity

Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Denzel and Pauletta Washington pose with Nelson Mandela and his wife Graça Machel

Elton John, Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman, Neil Diamond, Will Smith, Denzel Washington and Oprah Winfrey were among the stars attended a private dinner to celebrate NELSON MANDELA’s 90th birthday on Wednesday night (Jun 25, 08). World leaders like World leaders Bill Clinton and UK PM Gordon Brown were on-hand as well.

The former South African president hosted the dinner in London’s Hyde Park the same venue his birthday concert will be held in on Friday (Jun 27, 08).

Will Smith led the way with a particularly energetic performance as the auctioneer, squeezing every last penny out of the stars on five very special lots.
At one point, he picked on a giggling Emma Thompson, cajoling her into bidding for a signed painting of the birthday boy. But it was a bronze mould of Mandela’s hand that fetched the top price – a whopping $3.50 million.

Sir Elton John serenaded Mandela with a rendition of Happy Birthday on the grand piano, and guests were also treated to a performance by the Soweto gospel choir. Oscar winning actor Forest Whitaker gave a moving speech and so did talk show host Oprah Winfrey who said:
“What is so special is that you spend 27 years in prison, you come out and you do the thing that everyone thought was impossible to do – become president of the nation and change the way people feel about Africa, and then you get to live to celebrate 90.
“I just don’t know anybody who deserves this more or anybody who we should be gathered around literally at his feet to say thank you for all that he has given the world.” The fundraising dinner party is just one of a week-long series of events in the U.K. to honor Mandela.

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