Nearly $3 Million Raised at amfAR Venezia Gala

Venice, Italy, September 7, 2026 — Supporters raised nearly $3 million at amfAR Venezia last night, a benefit gala dinner and auction to raise funds for amfAR’s biomedical research programs. Hosted by Academy Award-winning writer, director, actor, and producer Taika Waititi, the event took place at the Hilton Molino Stucky. Actress Pamela Anderson received amfAR’s Award of Courage and renowned conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović received amfAR’s Award of Inspiration, presented by Orlando Bloom. Mimi Webb and Bebe Rexha gave special performances.

Taika Waititi, a longtime amfAR supporter, opened the evening, welcoming guests and highlighting the advancements made through four decades of HIV research, noting, however, that, “to this day, there is still no cure for HIV. So we must continue our march toward that goal, a cure. amfAR is also taking the lessons it’s learned from more than 40 years of funding HIV research and applying them to other areas of immediate concern. With your support … amfAR’s research has the potential to touch each and every one of our lives.”

amfAR Board Co-Chair T. Ryan Greenawalt echoed Waititi’s sentiments while also emphasizing the innovative nature of amfAR’s cutting-edge research noting that, “technology is driving research forward at an unprecedented pace. Right now, with amfAR support, scientists are performing analyses that would have been impossible just five, ten years ago. … So when we talk about advancing scientific discovery, the ideas are out there. And scientists are ready to do the work.”

Auctioneer Simon de Pury led the live auction, which included a pair of Chopard earrings, and pieces by Andy Warhol, Terry O’Neil, Mr Brainwash, and Mauro Perucchetti, and several one-of-a kind luxury experiences. 

In between auction lots, Waititi returned to the stage to present Pamela Anderson with amfAR’s Award of Courage. Anderson delivered a powerful and deeply personal speech, saying she hoped her battle with hepatitis C could be of inspiration.

“My doctor told me that I probably had around 10 years to live,” she said to the reverent crowd. “Ten blurry years later, a cure. I was lucky, I was offered it in its early stages. … And I felt tremendous guilt that others weren’t granted the same access. Courage expands one’s life, while fear diminishes it—the choice is ours,” she concluded. 

Orlando Bloom presented Marina Abramović with amfAR’s Award of Inspiration. Announcing an impromptu decision to abandon her prepared remarks, she spoke from the heart with a passionate speech about her art and motivations.

“Art can’t change the world,” she said. “Art can ask questions, art can give us the way, art can give inspiration. Art can actually help you to change yourself, but can’t change the world. But amfAR, the research, can really change [the world].”

Immediately following Abramović’s award presentation, Simon de Pury returned to the stage to auction off an Abramović digital avatar paired with an exclusive private lunch at her home which sold for more than half a million dollars. 

The evening concluded triumphantly with a performance from Bebe Rexha who brought guests to their feet with electrifying performances of her hits, “In the Name of Love,” “New Religion,” “Hey Mama,” and “I’m Good (Blue). At the guests’ enthusiastic request for an encore, Rexha joined them in the crowd with a second powerful rendition of “I’m Good (Blue),” sending everyone home on a high note.

Guests who came out to support amfAR included Caroline Scheufele, Maria Bakalova, Geoffrey Rush, Rodney Hicks, Caylee Cowan, Leonie Hanne, Laila Hasanovic, Jordan Barrett, Anna Ferzetti, Simone Marchetti, Alessandra Mastronardi, Achille Lauro, Rocco Benetton, Nico Vascellari, Martina Ferragamo, H.R.H Princess Margarita of Bourbon-Parma, Thássia Naves, Lacy Nicole, Ernesto Fürstenberg Fassio, Gaia Antonelli, Rosalba Benedetto, Francesco Melzi D’Eril, amfAR CEO, Kyle Clifford, amfAR board members Ryan Greenawalt, Olivia Tyson, and Alessandro Dusi, among others.

amfAR Venezia is presented by the World Gold Council, with Signature Sponsor Chopard. Variety is the event’s Media Partner. 

The evening was also generously supported by Hilton Molino Stucky. 

amfAR Venezia has raised over $13 million since 2021.

About amfAR
amfAR is a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and transforming global health with a primary and enduring commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Serving as a catalyst for breakthrough science, amfAR supports innovative research in areas where viruses and the immune system play a defining role, including cancer, neurological conditions, autoimmune disorders, and other viral diseases. Through strategic investments, global research partnerships, and evidence-based policy leadership, amfAR helps accelerate discoveries that improve health and save lives. Since 1985, amfAR has raised more than $950 million and awarded in excess of 3,900 grants to scientists worldwide. 

Contacts:
Bennah Serfaty, amfAR Senior Director, Communications, Bennah.serfaty@amfar.org
Melissa Rubenstein, Media Relations Associate, melissa.rubenstein@amfar.org