The party, a mere $1,500 pp, raised close to $1 mil. for cancer research and treatment for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. As luck would have it, this year’s fête fell on one of the coldest nights this tropical paradise has ever seen. Guests found themselves imbibing and huddling near towering heat lamps placed strategically throughout the grounds, while the less intrepid mingled by the mansion’s enormous fireplaces on the veranda. The evening featured Giorgio Armani’s Spring/ Summer collection, and the models, pros that they are, put on brave smiles while standing on pedestals anchored in the pool—wearing nothing but sheer, windswept fabrics. (Beauty really knows no pain!) 

After the show, guests roamed the home, ogling the extensive art collection dripping from the walls, with security guards at every corner. They wandered over to the museum-quality display of model yachts (remember Bill won the America’s Cup in 1992), and toured the estate’s wine cellar, not to mention the trophy-filled hunting room. Even entrenched socialites had their mouths agape.

The Koch estate could make some mansions look like maids’ quarters. Much like King Louie himself, Bill delighted guests with his bounteous magnanimity, and we happen to think the Hall of Mirrors doesn’t hold a candle to a night in beautiful Palm Beach. (Even a cold one!)