Actor raises $40m for environmental preservation

Portia Arthur

July 23, 2015 4:40 PM

The actor and film producer, leonardo opened the evening, explaining his foundation’s mission to help protect endangered species and the regions they live in

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio's foundation on Wednesday raised more than $40m to help preserve and save the environment.

The staggering amount was raised through the auction of luxury items and unique experiences, at the second annual gala hosted by actor’s eponymous foundation in St Tropez.

Two private concerts with Elton John were sold for $3m, a home on DiCaprio’s Belize island, Blackadore Caye, sold for $11m, and two arctic expeditions with Prince Albert II of Monaco sold for $1.6m.

DiCaprio raised more than $2m with the sale of his personal items including his Rolex watch and Andy Warhol artwork.

“Focusing on protecting these critically endangered iconic species is almost like setting up a worldwide network of Noah’s arks,” DiCaprio said.

The foundation was founded in 1998. According to its website, it focuses on “protecting biodiversity, ocean and forest conservation and climate change”.

“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,” DiCaprio said.

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of a night that will allow us to do so much to protect the planet”.

The gala drew stars including Prince Albert II of Monaco, Kate Hudson, Orlando Bloom, Naomi Campbell, and Heidi Klum. They saw performances from Elton John and John Legend.

The event was presented by Swiss private banking group, Julius Baer and co-sponsored by Chopard and Giorgio Armani.

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Portia Arthur