Rolex Continues To Underwrite the Rita Hayworth Gala for the Alzheimer’s Association

Continuing the support it has given since 2003, Rolex underwrote the entire cost of the Rita Hayworth Gala for the Alzheimer’s Association, which took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. Attendees at this year’s event included Dan Ackyroyd, Ivana Trump, Bryant Gumbel and Deborah Norville. Since 2008 marked the 25th anniversary of the gala, which was started by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan to honor the memory of her mother, actress Rita Hayworth, the star-studded event was nothing less than inspiring in 2008. With no expense spared with the support of Rolex, the party raised millions of dollars. Since its inception, the Rita Hayworth Gala has succeeded in raising more than $50 million for the research and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Since Rolex has joined the team in 2003, the event has become one of the most profitable charitable nights of the calendar year.

Since the very beginning, Rolex has been known as a creator of luxury watches of the highest quality and precision, setting both endurance and performance records. Side by side with the very best watches, Rolex also has supported philanthropic causes since day one. In World War II, Hans Wilsdorf replaced the Rolex watches that had been stolen from British prisoners of war, allowing them to defer the cost until after the conflict. Wilsdorf had a entrepreneurial vision in both the business and the philanthropic worlds, believing his company could make the very best watches while helping to support charities and causes across the globe. Upon the death of his wife in 1944, Wilsdorf established the Hans Wildorf Foundation in which he left all of his Rolex shares. The establishment of the foundation would guarantee that a good percentage of the company’s future income would go to charity. The company is still owned by a private trust, and shares are not traded on any stock exchange. As a result, Rolex is a huge supporter of philanthropic events and charities.

The decision by Rolex to continue to underwrite the Rita Hayworth Gala in order to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association is a perfect example of Wilsdorf’s vision coming true. Princess Yasmin Aga Khan experienced the pain of the disease when her mother, one of the most celebrated stars of the 1940s, experienced an onset of Alzheimer’s disease extremely early in her life. Alzheimer’s Association-funded researchers have made great strides in diagnosis, treatment and interventions. If he were alive today, Hans Wildorf would be proud that Rolex is supporting such a worthy cause. Mind you, he also would be astounded by the continued innovation and quality of Rolex watches.

- Rolex Luxury Watch Blog