Elton John Oscar Party Raises Millions for AIDS Charity

The 20th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party has raised $5.25 million for the fight against HIV/AIDS, organizers announced Monday.

Hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Sunday's event was co-sponsored by the Swiss jeweler and watchmaker Chopard, Neuro, a maker of nutritional drinks, and Wells Fargo. Elton John pledged to the Hollywood community 20 years ago that he would hold the event every year until a cure for HIV/AIDS had been found.

Guests at Sunday's event in West Hollywood Park had cocktails and a gala dinner, followed by a viewing of the 84th Academy Awards telecast.

The five-course meal, including sesame-encrusted lamb meatballs with harissa yogurt, sauteed sea bass with lemon couscous and piquillo pepper saffron sauce, and chocolate budino with whipped cream and fresh berries was prepared by Chef Cat Cora.

The dinner was followed by an auction. Auction items included a tennis lesson with 10-time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal that sold for $190,000 twice, and an in-home cooking class for up to 10 people with Cora which sold for $100,000.

Attendees at the viewing party, the statement said, included Academy Award-winning Best Actor Jean Dujardin, Steven Tyler, Gwen Stefani with her band No Doubt, Quincy Jones, Heidi Klum, Katy Perry, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer, Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Mischa Barton, Brooklyn Decker, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel, and Kelly Osbourne.

Stay up to date on West Hollywood news and events, by following @WehoPatch and “like” on Facebook.