Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Raises Over $40 Million in Planet-Saving Auction
Even though Leonardo DiCaprio is still finding success in Hollywood, he is also a truly dedicated advocate for the preservation of the environment. Through the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, he recently helped raise over $40 million during a save the planet auction in Saint-Tropez, France. This was the 2nd annual gala sponsored by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. It featured a live auction and donation of jewelry and artwork from DiCaprio's own personal collection including a Rolex Daytona Cosmograph watch, Andy Warhol art and Banksy art pieces worth over $2 million. Some of the larger items were DiCaprio's private Belize island, Blackadore Caye, and a vacation travel package donated by Prince Albert II of Monaco. The gala included performances by Elton John and John Legend and some popular stars attending the event were Kate Hudson, Orlando Bloom and Naomi Campbell. The auction opened Wednesday evening when he started the bidding on his own donations.
DiCaprio began the foundation in 1998 in order to help the environment and the habitat of wild animals. According to the Hollywood Reporter, he also "serves on the board of several environmental organizations." He said he hopes to work with governments to protect critically endangered species and "conserve the jungles, coral reefs, and forest they call home." According to Business Mirror, "The money [from the foundation] funds grants, public campaigns and media initiatives supported by the foundation." The foundation in particular "will help aid species of animals that are especially in need like the rhino, tiger, mountain gorilla and shark by "working with governments to conserve the jungles, coral reefs and forests they call home," they said in a statement according to Yahoo! News.
DiCaprio also said in a statement of his own, "We've decimated our forests, wildlands, polluted and over-fished our rivers and oceans - all the key ecosystems that not only serve as a home to our planet's biodiversity, but also make life here for us possible."
It is clear that DiCaprio is behind a change and looking for others to contribute to the effort as well. What could be more attractive than that? We are behind you Leo!