The fifteenth edition of the Global Gift Gala once again turned Marbella this Saturday, July 25, into the epicenter of solidarity, bringing together prominent personalities from the world of culture, sports, and international entertainment. Alongside Eva Longoria, actress, director, producer, activist, and one of Hollywood's most influential figures, and María Bravo, businesswoman, philanthropist, and founder of Global Gift Foundation, guests such as presenter Lidia Torrent and Jaime Astrain, former footballer and coach Bernd Schuster with Elena Blasco, designer Vicky Martín Berrocal, Bárbara Rey, Beatriz de Orleans, Mexican actor Diego Boneta, international actresses Shilpa Shetty and Leonor Varela, Mestiza, as well as Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, former First Lady of Canada and renowned mental health advocate, walked the red carpet.
Presented by Iván Sánchez and Lorena Bernal, the evening was accompanied by performances by Melody, Colombian singer Greeicy and Begoña Vargas, who debuted this year in music under the stage name Begoña, offering an artistic flourish to a night that took place at the Lucia Beach Club of the Hotel Don Carlos, marked by solidarity and social commitment. During the gala, the Global Gift recognized two of its main protagonists. Mexican singer Carlos Rivera received the Global Gift Humanitarian Award for his commitment to social and humanitarian causes and stated that he accepts the recognition "with enormous responsibility," emphasizing that music has not only allowed him to connect with millions of people but has also taught him that "the voice acquires its true value when used to help others." In addition, philanthropist Elsa Collins was honored with the Women Empowerment Award for her work in favor of female leadership and empowerment.
In principle, the funds raised during this fifteenth edition were destined for three initiatives of great humanitarian impact: emergency aid to Venezuela, channeled through Father Ángel; Casa Ángeles Marbella, the day center promoted by Global Gift Foundation for children with special needs and their families; and Casa Ángeles Vietnam, a project focused on ensuring the well-being, education, food, and care of vulnerable minors. However, during their exclusive interview with Luis Corpas for ‘ElConstitucional.es’, Eva Longoria and María Bravo announced a new solidarity action: part of the gala's proceeds will also be used to help those affected by the fires occurring in Spain, thus expanding the charitable scope of this XV edition.
In the interview, both reflect on the fifteen-year trajectory of the Global Gift Foundation's solidarity initiative. Additionally, Eva Longoria reviews her upcoming professional projects, reflects on her close ties with Spain, and confesses that she would love to step back into the shoes of Gabrielle Solis, the iconic character from Desperate Housewives who made her an international star.
Full interview
Question, Luis Corpas, ElConstitucional.es: How are you doing here in Marbella?
Answer, Eva Longoria: Good, as always when I'm in Marbella, life is "perfect".
Answer, María Bravo: Life in Marbella is better.
Q. Fifteen editions later, what has Global Gift achieved that was unthinkable in its beginnings?
A. M. Well, we have managed to help more people, that's the most important thing, being able to help more children and empower women to give them a slightly better life. And also the community: we have created a community of people who have the same mindset to want to be a little bit... humanity, a little bit better, which is needed today.
A. E. Yes, also that I didn't manage, to have Casa Ángeles, which was María's vision, that she wanted a place specifically to help people, children, families, where we can do not only therapies, but events, events of, how? festive...
A. M. Parties, everything.
Q. Celebration.
A. E. Yes, Casa Ángeles is a dream you have to visit, because the truth is that it's a miracle for families.
Q. And what news can you tell us about the future of the foundation? Are there more projects, new places?
R. M. Well, yes, tonight we are… you know what is happening now throughout Spain, the fires, and we have decided
R. E.L. Today.
R. M. Now, Today itself to say: we are going to help Spain, those who are affected by this tragedy that we are experiencing right now.
P. Horrible.
R. E. Yes, also always we are looking for organizations that need our Global Gift platform. And that is always different in each country, each city, each moment, like the fires now, and with the earthquake in Venezuela, or in London another thing, another cause.
P. Whatever happens.
R. E. And we are always looking for where we can help.
P. Surely you have lived stories that have personally marked you. Is there any especially emotional or inspiring one that you haven't told or that you want to comment on...?
R. E. There are many… there are many children, like yesterday at Casa Ángeles there was a Hollywood “production”; the theme was Hollywood. The children have been with us for many years, as I remember when this child was three years old and now he is talking, he is walking, he is participating… That gives me a lot of happiness. And also their parents and their family, when you can notice the difference between families, because it's not just the children we are helping…
P. Everyone around them.
R. E. Yes, we are helping, yes, the families. And for me there is a story behind every child, every person, and there is always a wonderful story, yes.
P. And well, Eva, Spain has almost become a second home for you, after Tierra de Mujeres, filmed with Carmen Maura in Catalonia, Searching for Spain, now The Last Sunrise, filmed in Mallorca, which comes out on Prime Video next month, not to mention your close connection with Marbella. Is there any project you can tell us about that will be filmed here in Spain or elsewhere?
R. E. No, in Spain, no… I want to do the second season of Searching for Spain about the gastronomy of Spain, because there are many places I haven't been, like Valencia, Valladolid… many places that Spain has. And Spain has an incredible level of “gastronomy”, and I want everyone to know that Spain is not just ham and paella.
P. There's much more.
R. E. Which are very good of this… (she laughs)
R. M. And fried eggs.
R. E. But there's much more (she keeps laughing).
Q. Of course. The affection for Desperate Housewives continues to grow, even 14 years after the series ended. With the growing trend now of bringing back past series, reboots, sequels. Would it be possible, if a script of the right caliber emerged, to see you again in the role of Gabrielle Solis?
A. E. Yes… oh my God! I miss Gabby. I love… I love that everyone is like rediscovering it right now.
Q. Of course, with Disney Plus and everything is...
A. E. Yes, and young people are saying: “oh my God”, you know? And my son Santiago is watching a lot of memes,
A. M. Oh really?
A. E. And he says: “mom, is that you? Is that you?” and I'm like: “yes, that's mom”. This… No… I would love to do a reboot, yes, but right now there are no plans for it.
Q. And if today you had to ask for just one thing from someone who can change the world, what would you ask for?
A. E. From whom?
Q. At the societal level, from those who have the power to do something; would you ask for help, would you ask for resources, would you ask for...
A. E. No, it's just… I'm always looking for humanity in people, that… I ask that people remember that we are all humans, human beings in this world. And we have to think… and put ourselves in their feet.
A. M. In their shoes.
A. E. Because I believe that this is missing, and with this mentality you can change the world, when you remember that: “ah, ok, yes, maybe they're suffering, maybe they need help”. And you have to think that all people… we are all human beings and we have to help.
Q. Let's say, empathy, right?
A. E. Yes.
Q. You have succeeded as an actress, as a director, producer — now also with The House of the Spirits— businesswoman, activist, mother… in everything you have set out to do. Looking at what you have achieved, is there any dream that you consider is still pending?
A. E. Ah, singing. (She laughs) No, no, no. I can't sing, I don't want to sing, I hate singing.
A. M. (She laughs) Something will come up for you to sing. For sure. For sure.
A. E. But everyone says: “you can do everything” and I'm like: “no, I don't sing, I don't sing”. No, no, I'm living my dreams, and I'm living dreams I didn't know I had. And now I'm focusing more on being a mom, above all.
Q. We have heard in several interviews that you want to tell stories with impact. Do you think there is one that the industry doesn't dare to tell and that you would want to and could even bring to the screen?
R. E. Yes, there are many… there are many projects I want to tell. I want to do the life of Rita Hayworth, because she was Latina… she was; her father was from Seville. Yes, and he was an incredible “flamenco dancer.” She was an incredible “flamenco dancer.” And she danced a lot of flamenco. But yes, I love telling many stories from our community.
Q. Well, thank you very much.
R. E. Thank you. It's professional!
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