Remembering Peter

On a personal note, I remember dashing Yale-graduate Peter Beard, the legendary wildlife photographer, who has died at the age of 82 after going missing from his Montauk, Long Island, home.

Peter, heir to two great fortunes in tobacco and railroads, was a fixture on the New York social scene, where I first met him at Studio 54, and also a had a rustic home near the former ranch of Danish writer Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa, outside Nairobi, Kenya, where he photographed many of the wild animals, which sold at astoundingly high prices at auction, some going for more than $500,000.

He was also good friends with my Manhattan neighbor Andy Warhol and rocks stars Lou Reeds and Mick Jagger.

Peter also had well publicized relationships with Jackie O’s sister, Lee Radziwill, Candice Bergen, an old friend Barbara Allen, and supermodel Cheryl Tiegs, to whom he was married from 1982 to 1986.

He also discovered the supermodel Iman in Nairobi, who became the wife of the late rocker David Bowie.

A glamorous life in the spotlight, but a terribly sad end, suffering as he did with dementia.

Gwyn’s Gown

Montecito actress Gwyneth Paltrow is auctioning off the Calvin Klein gown she wore at the 72nd Academy Awards in 2000.

Although the 47-year-old Oscar winner says the silvery dress has “sentimental value,” she is donating the glamorous outfit to raise funds for people affected by the coronavirus.

“It’s very end-of-the-‘90s, which is back in style, so I thought it would be a good one to donate,” says Gwynnie.

Amazon Soars

While others have been suffering economically from the coronavirus pandemic, Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man, continues to add astronomically to his fortune.

In just one day last week Bezos, 56, saw his wealth increase by $6.4 billion to $138 billion amid surging online orders during the quarantine lockdown with his company now worth $1.1 trillion after its shares hit a record high.

Angel Food

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have delivered food to Los Angeles residents living with critical illness.

The tony twosome, who moved to the Big Orange last month, volunteered with the charity Project Angel Food to deliver parcels to vulnerable people in the city.

Richard Ayoub, executive director, says the couple contacted the charity after learning its drivers were “overloaded” and needed more support as they try and feed people during quarantine.

The duo followed strict social distancing guidelines, wearing masks and gloves while being six feet apart from members of the public.

“If I’d known I would have worn my tiara,” joked one recipient.