When the birthday boy is a Nobel Peace Prize winner and widely acknowledged as 'The man who changed the world', you can expect some big names to turn up to raise a toast and help blow out the candles.
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev celebrated his 80th birthday with a glitzy charity gala at the Royal Albert Hall tonight, attended by a host of VIPs, from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Hollywood ladies Sharon Stone and Goldie Hawn.
Stone acted as host for the evening, alongside Kevin Spacey, at a fund-raising concert featuring Katherine Jenkins, Shirley Bassey, Bryan Ferry, Mel C and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Sharon Stone, 53, looked every inch the Hollywood goddess in a blush pink floor-length gown by Christian Dior.
The Basic Instinct star arrived early on the red carpet to prepare for her hosting duties inside.
Goldie Hawn flew in for the event, and wore a Grecian-style draped black gown.
Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins looked radiant in a rose pink form-fitting cocktail dress, while Holly Valance chose a daring black gown with a bizarre asymmetrical hemline.
Model Milla Jovovich wore a flirty short nude and black lace number.
Paul Anka, who also performed, CNN founder Ted Turner and Kevin Spacey were dapper in their suits on the rain-sodden red carpet.
Mikhail Gorbachev, who actually reached the milestone birthday on March 2, arrived with daughter Irina Virganskaya on his arm and her husband Andrey Trukhachev.
The A-list affair will raise millions of pounds for various charities including The Raisa Foundation, named in honour of Gorbachev's late wife, who died in 1999.
Tickets for the exclusive event ranged from £195 to £100,000 for an exclusive box.
Other VIP guests included Israeli President Shimon Peres, former PM John Major, Fabio Capello, Earl Spencer, and Gorbachev's granddaughters, Ksenia Gorbacheva and Anastasia Virganskaya.
'This gala has been organised to honour Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who truly changed the world for the better through his actions and example,' said Leonid Shlachover, the event's general producer.
'This event will celebrate his achievements by bringing together major artists from East and West in a night of celebration.'
Organisers told The Times the event would cost between £2million and £3million to stage.
Russian tycoon and press baron Alexander Lebedev, who is holding a fundraiser of his own for Gorbachev's charities in June, told The Times newspaper he had refused to underwrite the gala due to concerns over its costs.
A host of Russian musicians were also expected to perform, including baritone Dmitry Hvorostovsky, rock stars Andrey Makarevich and Mashina Vremeni and the Turetsky Choir, a choir founded by conductor Michael Turetsky from the Moscow Central Synagogue.
The artists were to 'celebrate the seven stages of Mr Gorbachev's life' including his childhood, rise to high office, the reforms of Perestroika and his international peace efforts, which ultimately led to the collapse of communism and his Nobel Peace Prize award in 1990.
Gorbachev is revered in the West for liberal reforms that led to communism's collapse, but has been reviled at home, where many hold him responsible for the Soviet Union's breakup.
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev celebrated his 80th birthday with a glitzy charity gala at the Royal Albert Hall tonight, attended by a host of VIPs, from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Hollywood ladies Sharon Stone and Goldie Hawn.
Stone acted as host for the evening, alongside Kevin Spacey, at a fund-raising concert featuring Katherine Jenkins, Shirley Bassey, Bryan Ferry, Mel C and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Glitzy affair: Sharon Stone dazzles as host of Mikhail Gorbachev's 80th birthday charity gala at the Royal Albert Hall in London
The Basic Instinct star arrived early on the red carpet to prepare for her hosting duties inside.
Goldie Hawn flew in for the event, and wore a Grecian-style draped black gown.
Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins looked radiant in a rose pink form-fitting cocktail dress, while Holly Valance chose a daring black gown with a bizarre asymmetrical hemline.
Host of stars: Goldie Hawn flew in to toast the former Soviet leader, while Katherine Jenkins, wearing a Victoria Beckham dress, performed at the event
Glamorous: Supermodel Milla Jovovich wore a flirty frock but had wardrobe malfunction with a nipple slip, while Mel C, who performed went for a chic jumpsuit
Paul Anka, who also performed, CNN founder Ted Turner and Kevin Spacey were dapper in their suits on the rain-sodden red carpet.
Mikhail Gorbachev, who actually reached the milestone birthday on March 2, arrived with daughter Irina Virganskaya on his arm and her husband Andrey Trukhachev.
Daring: Holly Valance chose a bizarre black Maison Martin Margiela gown with a thigh-high hemline for the fund-raising gala
Man of the hour: Mikhail Gorbachev arrived for his birthday soiree with daughter Irina Virganskaya on his arm and her husband Andrey Trukhachev
Hit with the gentlemen: The Basic Instinct star was hounded by male fans on the red carpet
Tickets for the exclusive event ranged from £195 to £100,000 for an exclusive box.
Other VIP guests included Israeli President Shimon Peres, former PM John Major, Fabio Capello, Earl Spencer, and Gorbachev's granddaughters, Ksenia Gorbacheva and Anastasia Virganskaya.
A toast to you: Gorbachev posed inside with Sharon Stone, while his granddaughters Ksenia Gorbacheva and Anastasia Virganskaya were pictured on the red carpet in dramatic gowns
'This event will celebrate his achievements by bringing together major artists from East and West in a night of celebration.'
Organisers told The Times the event would cost between £2million and £3million to stage.
Russian tycoon and press baron Alexander Lebedev, who is holding a fundraiser of his own for Gorbachev's charities in June, told The Times newspaper he had refused to underwrite the gala due to concerns over its costs.
Flirtation: Co-hosts Sharon Stone and Kevin Spacey seemed to enjoy working together for the evening
Guests of honour: Mikhail Gorbachev and his daughter Irina Virganskaya enjoy the entertainment at the gala which raised money for various charities including The Raisa Foundation, in honour of his late wife
The artists were to 'celebrate the seven stages of Mr Gorbachev's life' including his childhood, rise to high office, the reforms of Perestroika and his international peace efforts, which ultimately led to the collapse of communism and his Nobel Peace Prize award in 1990.
Gorbachev is revered in the West for liberal reforms that led to communism's collapse, but has been reviled at home, where many hold him responsible for the Soviet Union's breakup.
Influential: Arnold Schwarzenegger was keen to show off his belt buckle, while singer Paul Anka also attended
Suited and booted: Kevin Spacey played host, while Bryan Ferry performed inside the Royal Albert Hall
Extravaganza: The performance aimed to 'celebrate the seven stages of Mr Gorbachev's life'
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