Self-made pharma billionaire Stewart Rahr topped himself this
year with his inaugural Hamptons summer “Celebration of Life for
Exceptional Friends” blowout bash at his Wainscott $50 million estate
on Georgica Pond. The Lamborghinis, Bentleys, and Maseratis were
streamlined at the entrance to this over-the-top party of the decade!
The upward of $1 million extravaganza included the elite of the elite
from Rahr’s inner circle. There were more billionaires in one place
than anywhere else on the planet—sprawled around the lawn for
cocktails and then inside for the magnificent dinner, catered by
Larry Scott, in a huge tent, which looked more like a home itself—
equipped with banquettes, a wood-oak dance floor, and an elaborate stage for the entertainment. Rahr’s signature Rah Rah yellow sunglasses were strategically placed on every table.

Security was extremely tight with friends that read like a Who’s Who: President Bill Clinton, Prince Albert of Monaco, and the President of Iceland Olafur Ragnar Grimsson. Other A-list guests, including 12 billionaires among them, were Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Jonathan Tisch, Russell Simmons, David Koch, Tommy Mottola, Steve Cohen, Leon Black, Mort Zuckerman, Veronica Webb, Shelden Solow, Larry Robbins, Charles Schumer, Christie Brinkley, Richard LeFrak, LL Cool J, David Foster, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, and Donny Deutch.

David Foster (14 Grammy-Award winner) introduced Rahr to the stage as a video of Lady Gaga crooning “Bad Romance” the part that goes: ‘Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah …’ was shown and blasting … Rahr tried to silence the crowd so he could speak and he chirped to former NFL football star Nick Buoniconti, “you in the back, keep quiet, don’t you want me to continue to support spinal cord injury?” Then Rahr began with, “there are so many great friends here tonight … Bill Clinton … Prince Albert, who’s even more popular than President Clinton … just kidding.”

Filipino superstar and YouTube sensation, 18-year-old Charice (David Foster’s discovery) was the opening act for Lionel Richie who instantly got the crowd up on their feet to hits like “All Night Long,” “Dancin’ on the Ceiling,” “Hello,” and “Sunday Morning,”—even Trump was gyrating on the dance floor and had a spin with Rahr’s wife Carol, who also danced with Clinton. Although the former president was scheduled to leave at 9:30 p.m., he was having so much fun that he joined Trump and stayed the entire evening.

Prior to Lionel’s performance, Rahr heard that the Prince had to leave by 10 p.m. to catch a flight to Monaco for a very important lunch board meetin for his foundation the next day. A determined Rahr, in true Rah Rah fashion, darted up to Richie’s dressing room (way off to the opposite side of the estate), took the shocked icon entertainer by the elbow, while he was still in his T-shirt, and dragged him down into the event tent right over to the Prince’s table and told his friend Lionel to now tell Prince Albert to “stay an extra hour until your performance is over.” Again, the Prince refused. This was unacceptable to Forbes 400 businessman Rahr, who then hit the Prince’s Achilles Heel right smack on the head with, “If I donate $1 million to your favorite charity (The Princess Grace Foundation which was scheduled the same night, but the Prince left early to get to Rahr’s bash) will you stay?” With Rahr’s power of the dollar, the Prince glared and said, “For the children I will stay.”

In Rah Rah World money talks and Rahr walks the walk.

A $50 million home, a $1 million party, and an invitation to hang with Rah Rah—priceless!

Rumor has it that Rahr is already planning his second Celebration of Life party with Billy Joel as the headliner. Hope I see you on the VVIP list next year.