Who else but Bill Clinton could steal the show in a room packed with some of the world’s most powerful women? At the 2002 Matrix Awards lunch sponsored by New York Women in Communications at the Waldorf, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Marlo Thomas, Anna Wintour, Ebay honcho Meg Whitman, playwright Eve Ensler, and Lifetime’s Carole Black looked on as the former Prez made a surprise entrance and appearance at the podium. The audience gasped audibly and gave him a standing ovation. True to form, Clinton dazzled the throng as he offered heartfelt praise to honoree and legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas: “Helen was the hardest working reporter during my time. She was always trying to get to the truth, and wasn’t afraid to ask tough questions about the Middle East—and what it really takes to solve this dilemma.”

On accepting her award from Walter Cronkite, Thomas quipped, “It’s always hard to hear your obituary.” Then she went on to explain, “My outrage against injustice is my mantra,” and brought down the house with her parting one-liner: “Just remember life is too short to drink the house wine.”