By Brianne Hogan / Source: Ecorazzi

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In what was called “the biggest environmental fundraiser ever,” Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation’s second annual fundraising gala in St. Tropez raised over $40 million on July 22.

The star-studded gala included Kate Hudson, Orlando Bloom, Goldie Hawn, and Sylvester Stallone, as well as John Legend and Elton John appearing as surprise performers.

DiCaprio opened the event with an impassioned plea. “We’ve decimated our forests, wild lands, 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,” he said in his opening speech. “I’m incredibly proud to be part of a night that will allow us to do so much to protect the planet.”

Besides singing hits like “Tiny Dancer,” John even auctioned off two private concerts for $3 million total. DiCaprio even auctioned off personal items including the Rolex Daytona off his wrist, plus artworks from his own collection by Andy Warhol and Bansky, that brought in $2 million total.

“Such an honor to share the stage with the incredibly talented John Legend,” Sir Elton captioned a photo of himself with the Oscar winner. “And a joy to raise money to help save our planet for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.”

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Such a honour to share the stage with the incredibly talented John Legend. And a joy to raise money to help save our planet for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.
Also on the auction block was a luxury home on DiCaprio’s island resort Blackadore Caye in Belize, which was snapped up by Colony Capital’s Tom Barrack for over $11 million. Blackadore’s being touted as “the world’s greenest resort” — hey, whatever gets people to use their check books.

For $1.1 million one lucky bidder won a package to accompany producer Harvey Weinstein to the Oscars plus other high-profile events like the Cannes Film Festival, Met Gala and White House Correspondents Dinner.

“It was the most amazing and really glamorous night,” a guest tells Us Magazine. Sure sounds like it!

Last year at the inaugural fundraiser DiCaprio raised $25 million. The star of the upcoming film, “The Revenant,” has been on a charitable roll lately. Just last week, he donated $15 million to various environmental causes.

Read more @ Ecorazzi