PALMER, along with Gigi Benson and Hilary Geary Ross, hosted the birthday party of the season for famed photographer Harry Benson in West Palm Beach. The soirée — held at Mr. C’s Gallery, the new West Palm Beach-based hotel and residences slated to open in mid-2027 — was buzzing with well wishers, with a surprise birthday salute from Legends Radio’s Bob Merrill.
Among the 150 revelers were Bob Kraft, Hillie Mahoney, Beth Rudin de Woody, Victoria Hagan and Michal Berman, Susan Bodnar and Tim Malloy, Wilbur Ross, Campion Platt, Deborah Norville and Karl Wellner, Christine Schott and George Ledes, Michael Shnayerson and Gayfryd Steinberg, Annette Tapert, Ghislain d’Humières and Nicolas Raubertas, Jackie Weld Drake, Adam McPherson, Steve Menezes, Louis Coletti, Jayne and Chris Chase, Peter Bernon, Cece and Lee Black, Pamela O’Connor, Leonard Lauren, Christine and Gene Pressman, Whitney Schott, Ginger and Larry Leeds, and Ursula Gwynne.
“The girls are going to be around him all night,” quipped his beloved wife, Gigi, who was accompanied by their daughter, Wendy Benson Landes.
Benson with his family. Photo by Jon Delano.
Benson, for one, wasn’t taking any of it for granted. “It’s good to be living this long and to be in such good health,” offered the Glasgow-native, whose diverse works range from the photographs of the Beatles’ 1964 foray into America, as well as iconic shots of world leaders and celebrities, to the work he did in 1981 for Life magazine covering famine-stricken refugee camps in Somalia.
“We are all part of his biggest fan club,” offered Geary Ross, who worked with Benson on the book Palm Beach People. “Not only is he ridiculously talented, but his charm and sense of humor are unmatched.”
Notable photographers including Patrick McMullan, Mary Hilliard, Annie Watt, and Benson’s longtime assistant, Jon Delano, also came out to celebrate the legend. “His work is just prolific, he can do anything,” said McMullan. “I mean, he went from being a young man shooting the Queen at a distance to having an official sitting with her! Amazing! He’s just as funny as can be and his big heart is completely admirable.”
Michael Berman, PALMER CEO, toasted Benson’s commitment to his craft. “It’s said that a photographer’s lens is an extension of his eye,” he offered, “but in Harry Benson’s case, it is so much more. His images are a glimpse into his soul, his sense of purpose, his strong conviction, his moral compass, his highly empathetic nature, his compassion and his heart.”
After his speech came a birthday tribute from Jon Bon Jovi via video and then a grand cake for the spirited birthday boy.