Quiet Achiever

Her extensive contribution to charitable causes was recently honoured at a glittering international gala, but Cathy Lee generally eschews the limelight. The philanthropist talks to Marianna Cerini about the important things in life.

- Marianna Cerini

‘I’m only going to take seven minutes of your time,” Cathy Lee said as she took to the stage at Shaw Studios. “But let’s be clear: this isn’t for me. This is for all the people who suffer from the condition and live with it every day. Please help me to celebrate some of them here tonight,” the former model continued as she welcomed 14 people onto the stage.

The occasion was the annual Amfar gala dinner, the condition was HIV/Aids and her companions were people living with it. The reason Cathy, generally reclusive when it comes to such events, was at the international fundraiser for Aids research was to be honoured before some of the biggest names in entertainment, fashion, art and advocacy for her extensive contribution to the fight against Aids and the stigma that so often goes with it.

When we meet at the Four Seasons a few days before the star-studded event, where the entertainment included performances by Kylie Minogue and Tove Lo, Cathy looks beautiful and relaxed in an oversize cardigan and casual trousers. “My uniform,” she says, with her youngest son by her side. “I like to keep things simple. Being a mum, I don’t have much time to think about what I’m going to wear. There are more important things.”