‘War of the Worlds’ Star Eva Longoria (51) Dazzles in Strapless Black Velvet and Diamonds at Monaco’s Glittering Global Gift Gala
Monaco does glamour better than almost anywhere, and when a charity gala lands at one of its grandest hotels, the red carpet tends to reflect it. This season, the Principality welcomed one of its most high-profile philanthropic evenings back for a second year.
The star of the night was a familiar face, and her Monaco appearance proved once again that she knows how to pair glamour with a good cause.
The second Monaco edition of the Global Gift Gala took place on Friday, October 9, in the Salle Empire at the Hôtel de Paris. María Bravo, founder of the Global Gift Foundation, chaired the evening alongside honorary chair Eva Longoria.
Guests arrived in black tie for a cocktail reception and red carpet, followed by dinner, live performances and an auction. Sandy Heribert, the host of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, served as master of ceremonies, and singer Lara Fabian gave a live concert in her first appearance at the Monaco edition. Tickets ranged from €1,500 to €5,000.
Eva Longoria attends the 2nd Monaco Global Gift Gala Photocall at Hotel de Paris on October 09, 2026 in Monaco #EvaLongoria FULL SET : https://t.co/sCtkiZ6CHa https://t.co/oQx9IRNori
— HQCelebCorner (@Pawe66862800) October 11, 2026
For the photocall, Longoria chose a strapless black velvet dress with a sparkling embellished neckline, which gave the simple silhouette a touch of shimmer. She wore her hair in a textured updo and completed the look with sparkling hoop earrings, a diamond necklace and layered bracelets and rings.
She smiled broadly for the cameras, posing in front of the gala’s backdrop with her hands on her hips. The glossy, bronzed makeup and warm glow made the jewelry stand out against the dark velvet.
The jewelry made sense. Monaco jeweler APM Monaco presented the evening, and Longoria is the brand’s muse.
Alexandra with Eva Longoria tonight🫧✨ https://t.co/5Wbq0iYHeP
— MleuxGarden🪽 (@MleuxGarden) October 9, 2026
The gala raises money for several causes. This year’s beneficiaries are Fight Aids Monaco, Alexandra Leclerc’s Corazones Unidos fund in Mexico, Casa Ángeles Marbella and the Quang Chau orphanage in Vietnam.
The Global Gift Foundation, launched in 2013, works to support vulnerable women, children and families. A flagship initiative is its Casa Global Gift centers, which provide multidisciplinary care for children with special needs and rare diseases.
Eva Longoria Brings Global Gift Gala Back to Monaco With Princess Stéphanie and a Star-Studded Guest List: Eva Longoria returned to Monaco for the second edition of the Global Gift Gala, joined by Princess Stéphanie and a host of familiar faces. After raisi rt.news.mc/TVs6ff https://t.co/Glu2OVH79R
— NEWS.MC (@monacodailynews) October 10, 2026
Longoria wasn’t just there to pose. She took the stage at the Hôtel de Paris and moved naturally between English and French, much to the delight of the Monaco audience.
She has worked alongside Bravo for more than a decade, and for her the gala is about more than bringing influential people together for an evening. Other speakers included Princess Stéphanie, Alexandra Leclerc and YANINA Couture, all looking at what influence can achieve when put to work for others.
La princesa Stéphanie, Eva Longoria y Alexandra Leclerc brillan en la segunda edición del Global Gift Gala, celebrada en la Salle Empire del icónico Hôtel de Paris. 💫 ¿Quién es tu favorita? 🤩 Fotos por: Grosby Group https://t.co/x615FGaVcS
— EstiloDF (@EstiloDF) October 10, 2026
This was only the second edition in Monaco. The inaugural event, held on October 4, 2025, reportedly raised about €400,000, and organizers hope to make it a fixture of Monaco’s social calendar.
At that first gala, Princess Stéphanie received the Global Gift Philanthropist Award for her decades of work through Fight Aids Monaco, her nonprofit supporting people living with HIV. The Monaco and Marbella editions have since been recognized among the Best Events in Europe 2026 by European Best Destinations.
The Monaco gala was organized with CMC Consulting, the agency founded by Camille Gottlieb and Medy Anthony. Additional entertainment included a mentalist, a magic performance and a DJ.
Longoria’s involvement with the foundation has taken her across Europe this year. The gala was held in Cannes on May 20, where she served as honorary chair alongside actress Jacqueline Fernandez and presented the Global Gift Women Empowerment Award to Sofia Carson and Jwana Karim.
The foundation’s galas have been held in cities including Paris, Marbella, London and Dubai. Longoria has long used her profile to raise awareness for its work, and each event keeps the focus on the children and families the money supports.
That blend of fashion and fundraising is the point. As Monaco’s autumn social season continues, this red carpet showed that a glamorous outfit and a good cause can work well together.
What do you think of Eva Longoria’s black velvet and diamond look at the Monaco Global Gift Gala?
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