90th Birthday Bash
Star-studded bash for Austin royalty celebrates more than just a birthday
What: Edith Royal’s 90th birthday celebration
Where: Hotel Granduca
The details: Matthew McConaughey, Ben Crenshaw, First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott, and other notable Austin guests came together on November 5 at the newly opened Hotel Granduca for Edith Royal’s 90th birthday. Hosted by Ava Late and Debbie Hanna, the night not only celebrated Royal, but also five recipients of Darrell K Royal Fund grants for Alzheimer's disease research that totaled more than $750,000.
During the gala’s festivities, food and drink was served by the Italian-inspired Hotel Granduca, while a live auction brought in more than $25,000. City of Austin Council Member Sherri Gallo presented a proclamation declaring November 5, 2015 Edith Royal Day, and close friend McConaughey led guests in singing “Happy Birthday” and “The Eyes of Texas” to Royal.
The DKR Research Fund was started by Edith Royal in 2012 to honor her husband, University of Texas football coach Darrell K Royal, and increase awareness surrounding Alzheimer’s disease. With no cure and no drugs available to stop or slow the progression of the disease, the DKR Fund is advancing the speed of research currently being conducted.
Who: Edith Royal, Matthew McConaughey, Ben Crenshaw, Cecilia Abbott, Ava Late, Debbie Hanna, Julie Crenshaw, Judith Zaffirini, Janis Maund, Doug Maund, Sherri Gallo, Bo Price, Rita Hortenstine, Dale Hortenstine, Sven Vanneste, Ismael Al-Ramahi, Kan Ding, Bridget Hawkins, and Yingfei Wang.