CANNES, France, May 21, 2009 (AFP) - A celebrity AIDS gala at Cannes headed this year by Sharon Stone and Bill Clinton saw funds raised plummet over 50 percent to 4.5 million dollars (3.23 million euros), organisers said Friday.
The mega gala organised by the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmfAR) and originated by Elizabeth Taylor, raised 10 million dollars in 2008.
A highlight of the Thursday evening's event at the nearby Riviera town of Cap d'Antibes was the sale of Clinton's celebrated saxophone, which fetched 130,000 euros.
A-list celebrities who turned up included Annie Lennox, who sang several of her hits to 700 guests who paid 150,000 dollars (108,000 euros) for each 10-seater table, or 4,000 dollars (2,900) per head.
Cannes jury member, actress Robin Wright Penn, joined the fundraiser, along with Michele Yeoh, Elisabeth Hurley, "La Vie en Rose" star Marion Cotillard, Harvey Weinstein, Terry Gilliam, Danny Glover and "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson.
Models Claudia Schiffer and Eva Herzigova, the designer duo Dolce & Gabbana and Donatella Versace added a serious splash of glamour, joined by heiress Paris Hilton.
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