My friend, the new king of Belgium!!

SOooo... You have heard the news earlier today...

Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium is going to become the country's king on July 21st!

His father, King Albert, announced today, that he was stepping down that day.

It follows the abdication of the Queen of Netherlands, few weeks ago, letting her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his popular wife Princess Maxima, to become the King and Queen of Netherlands. 

It had happened before in Netherlands. But, NEVER before in Belgium!

Some would say - "Big News!" Others would nod sarcastically, and mumble: "Poor Prince Charles..."

Of course, they are referring to the Prince of Wales, who has been waiting patiently for 6 decades, for his time to shine.

Though - I must say - I know Prince Charles. I think, he has found his niche, and doing a fabulous job, with his "Prince's Trust", while (well..) waiting...

*** 

I have known Crown Prince Philippe for a decade, though - probably more. He reminded me, when I spent quality time with him in 2001, filming a rare TV special with him in Belgium and Thailand, how he was a volunteer at the Mother Theresa's home in India. He was incognito then, while I was the big television star from the U.S., the only interviewer, who scored 4 days interview with Mother Theresa. Philippe was one of the many special people, who stayed in cheap hotels, and did amazing volunteering  job, saving people's lives, feeding dying people... The only reward was - "to be part of it!" He reflected it back with me.

I know, some of my friends in Belgium, find him: "reserved", "rather shy", "lacking star quality..." 

WELL... 

Philippe was just in Hollywood few weeks ago, leading a delegation of 400 hundred prominent people from his country. Rudi, his Consul General in Los Angeles, asked me (based on my friendship with Philippe) to help out, and bring some Hollywood players to the main gala event.

So I did. AND THEY LOVED PHILIPPE! (See photos)

He could have not been - and I have other royals as friends - more attentive to the Oscar winner Jon Voight (who chose to be there, although it was his daughter Angelina's BDay that night), and stunning new hot actress Rebecca Da Costa (whose playing the lead role against Robert De Niro) in the movie,  Motel, released on December 2013.

I also included to the event, my friend, top LA hair dresser Nick Chavez, as well as my other pal, a top LAPD cop, Orlando Martinez, and introduced them to the Crown Prince (soon to be a king!) ...He was so interested in each one of them and took an extra time to chat with my partner Erbil Gunasti.

*** 

Sounds like an extra ordinary evening?

Yes, it was.

On the other hand - this is MY LIFE!

I love to introduce different kind of people from a wide range of countries, professions, backgrounds to one another. They are all leaders in their own fields or domains. But in my home / parties / charities - they can find their matches either for business, or for social purpose. 

This is way I am so thrilled about the the new club (for members only), opening this Fall. In "Secret Fast" - you will meet kings and queens or crown princes and princesses or head-of-states and candidates or Hollywood A-Listers and - "the next thing in Hollywood or A-Lister musicians and "the next hot musicians" ...

All this high-end mingling will occur, while the club members will detox, lose weight, and go through anti-aging treatments in seclusion and privacy.  Can you imagine, that while losing weight, one would  network and make rare contacts, let alone - have fun??

And like you did not know about Crown Prince Philippe's private meetings in LA until this moment - anything happening in "Secret Fast" will remain secret.

Hey, I think, Belgium just got a GREAT KING!

When Obama met Mandela, twice and in private!

When president Barack Obama landed with First Lady Michelle in S. Africa few days ago, he had one dream - to meet with the legendary Nelson Mandela, the other great son of Africa.

That was of-course a big challenge. Even Obama, the president of the U.S., whose story is full of miracles, could not meet "Madiba," the legend. When he arrived S. Africa, the ailing Mandela has been fighting for his life in the hospital for a while. His well being has been deteriorating with each passing day. 

***

But, this was not the first time Obamas and Mandelas were meeting in a unique environment...

While I was writing the autobiography of Barack Obama family last summer ("Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots"), I hosted some of the Obama family members at my vacation  home in the U.S. They helped me write the powerful story of their family. 

While we were working on the book, I was told that my friend Kweku Mandela, the grandson of "Madiba" was on his way to the states and he wanted to see me. In the past, having conducted numerous interviews with many of the family members, including one with Madiba and another one with his wife, Graca Machel and directed a high-end television special involving him, I had befriended him and his loved ones and we were in close contact ever since.

So I figured this is as good as anytime to have the first ever encounter of an Obama with a Mandela. And I took Marsat Obama, Barack Obama's aunt with me, and told Kweku to meet us at fashionable eatery in Los Angeles. 

These two were so excited to meet with each other! While Kweku was curious about the (young) aunt of the leader of the free world, Marsat kept asking about Mandela.

Four of us, Marsat Obama, Kweku Mandela, Erbil and I, enjoyed ourselves in a private corner of this posh eatery... All the while, everyone was watching Obama making a speech on tube, no one had a clue who were on the other side of the place observing them quietly, unnoticed. 

But of-course not! Because this is MY LIFE. This is the way I have been fortunate enough to live my life: Mixing interviews, business with charities, new friends, introducing different players from different parts of the world to other interesting people, in the most private surroundings. Let alone - having fun!

***

That is why I am so excited about the new membership-only club, opening this Fall - "Secret Fast." The idea of bringing  prominent people all around the world, as club members, covering a wide range of fields of interests and territories, in a beautiful resort, primarily to work on their health... 

WOW! 

If one can lose weight, cleanse, overcome medical problems, and - at the same time - make new friends and/or form business partnerships...

Doing all that in a private & secure atmosphere, among exclusive club members (by invitation only!)!

Can you imagine how many Obamas and Mandelas and the likes, would bond there, enjoying the nature?

I am so excited!