The rise and rise of amfAR: the pioneering HIV foundation founded by Elizabeth Taylor returned to London in glittering style

‘It's bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance,’ once declared an impassioned Elizabeth Taylor, the glamorous, brave and outspoken co-founder of amfAR in the 1980s. Over 40 years later, and with a new CEO in tow, the foundation is still holding her verve. This weekend, Kyle Clifford - the man who now sits atop amfAR’s helm - conjured a gathering of the great and the glorious for its London gala: a scene of glitzy opulence for good.

While the annual Cannes gala has become a landmark event during the film festival circuit, raising a record-breaking $20 million back in May with the likes of the Marchioness of Bath, Heidi Klum and Robbie Williams in attendance, the British rendezvous is swiftly becoming a dazzling jewel of the Autumn calendar. For the 2026 edition this weekend, Rocco Ritchie offered up his artworks for auction; Rita Ora performed her chart-toppers in a chartreuse tutu; and Kelly Osbourne urged guests to splash the cash in a touching speech. Meanwhile, the likes of Matt Dillon, Natasha Lyonne and Spice Girls alum, Mel C, dined on fine fare ice-cold champagne in the velveteen enclaves of the Chancery Rosewood’s grand ballroom. Last year’s event alone raised $2.1 million in one-night-only. This year, it took $2.2 million. Since inception, the foundation has amassed over $950 million in total for its research.

It is, yes, all rather glittering. But for Clifford, who admits he’s ‘standing on the shoulders of giants stepping into this role’, the work is far from over. Since assuming the top position ten months ago, formerly serving as its Chief Development Officer since 2020, Clifford says amongst his proudest achievements are - of course - hosting ‘our most successful event in Cannes in 10 years,’ (i.e May’s unparalleled achievement), but the future of the foundation lies in continuing in working with an aging demographic of the HIV-positive community and the problems that they encounter along on the way. ‘[The] needs have changed over time. Originally it was about understanding this virus: What is happening? Why are people dying? Then it evolved to testing of drugs. Then it evolved to discovering what were the types of drug classes that would be effective in stopping people from dying. We've got to a situation right now in 2026, where we have essentially a broad range of treatment solutions for people that to all intents and purposes can either prevent you from getting a HIV diagnosis or, in fact, if you're HIV-positive, keep it under control.’

‘We've evolved and we are still focused and determined, similar to our founder, Elizabeth Taylor, in that it's not over until we get a cure,’ Clifford continues. ‘The reason being is that we know it's possible. There are people now in the world who have been cured of HIV. We've been funding that research since around 2009. So we know scientifically it's possible. We believe there are a variety of different roadmaps to finding a cure solution that is accessible to everyone, easy to administer and affordable for distribution globally. We've seen what's possible, so the horizon is very bright. The analogy I like to give is that we've been running this marathon since 1985, and if you've been doing a marathon, you've put in the training, you've put in the blood, sweat, and tears, the last two miles are your toughest. Now is not the time for us to stop when we can see the finish line.’

Clifford bravely decided to reveal that he in fact lives with HIV after stepping into the CEO role earlier this year. ‘I would like to think that our founders Elizabeth Taylor and Dr. Mathilde Krim would be immensely proud to say that we have a gay HIV-positive leader now. So that's who I am. It's everything that I am, to be honest with you. I'm very proud of the fact that I'm HIV-positive,’ Clifford shares.

It should be noted that during this over-four-decade journey, amfAR has also been responsible for a number of life-changing medical discoveries outside of the realm of HIV research. Like, for example, focusing on other health issues that the community could be more likely to face too. ‘As an HIV-positive person, [we] have certain higher risk factors of other chronic illnesses and diseases. For example, and these are averages, but someone HIV-positive is six times more likely to develop certain cancers like certain lymphoma cancers. If you're a woman, you're four times more likely to develop cervical cancer. Depending on the geography you're in, it could even be six times more likely. You are two times more likely to develop a neurological condition, which can include dementia and potentially Alzheimer's. And so for us, what we've decided at amfAR is to stay focused on a cure, but also to as well fund research into these other challenges that the HIV-positive community are facing.’

But with all the hard work involved with leading these discoveries, that doesn’t mean that fundraising can’t be, well… fun. The glamour of these globe-encompassing galas has become quite the fashion show indeed. Clifford confesses that ‘our red carpets are so popular that it does provide a challenge for us in the context of the timing of the dinner and the programming of the event, because we can often have such a line of people waiting to get onto the red carpet that if it's not moving on, it has a ripple effect as to when the dinner program starts and the event starts.’ Luckily, at this weekend’s event, everything went according to plan, but there were indeed resplendent gowns worthy of any sceney awards show; think jewel-encrusted aureate ensembles shining on the backs of society swans, and towering scarab beetle necklaces that glowed in glimmering gold (as seen on Peruvian artist, Grimanesa Amorós this weekend).

Two award-winners were celebrated for their philanthropic efforts this weekend: Philip Treacy and Jeremy Irons (‘I can't think of two greater recipients’, confirms Clifford). Treacy - the milliner marvel behind a myriad head-turning fashion moments and his renowned collaborations with Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow - held court of a table filled with shimmering style doyennes, like the modern-day diva and songstress, Alfreda Maxwell, and her mother, Geraldine Harmsworth, descendants of 1970s grand dame and society hostess-extraordinaire, Viscountess ‘Bubbles’ Rothermere.

Meanwhile, Irons was similarly toasted for his long-time efforts supporting the cause. He was, after all, the thespian that proudly became the first to publicly don a red AIDS ribbon when hosting a televised A-list event - the 45th Tony Awards in 1991 - during a time when stigma surrounding the HIV crisis was still at its peak. ‘We can’t mistake progress for completion,’ Irons said during his acceptance speech. ‘It’s crucially important that we continue to keep this epidemic visible. And now that medical advantages have made HIV less prominent in public consciousness, to those who think the problem is over, I would remind you that of that 9 million people worldwide, nearly a quarter of people living with HIV still lack basic access to the medications. If there’s anything we owe to those many friends we’ve lost, and to the activists who fought so brilliantly against the indifference, and to the scientists who dedicated their lives to understanding an enemy so small you couldn’t see it, is to do what we can to make sure the job gets finished,’ he continued.

London's annual event continues on its stratospheric rise. But amfAR has been developing its global events outreach ten-fold as of late, too, now boasting dazzling ‘dos across Milan, New York, Dallas and Palm Beach. For Clifford, finding a coveted seat for all the guests who wish to support is one of the tougher difficulties. ‘My biggest challenge with this event is that we sell out so quickly. How do we get more new people into the room?’ Friday evening's event filled out its 320 places swiftly, with a hefty waitlist of an unconfirmed number hoping to make the cut

For those not at the event but wish to support the ongoing efforts, Clifford suggests visiting amfAR.org and considering setting up monthly contributions, or just ‘getting to learn a little more about the research that we are funding’.

‘What I would say to people is whether HIV has impacted your household directly or indirectly, one thing I can definitely tell you is that it has impacted every medicine cabinet in every household here in London. HIV research itself, the broad benefits of HIV research extend far, far beyond HIV. The discoveries and the progress that we have made in trying to understand HIV have been utilized and used to attack cancer cells, cancer tumors, leukemia, a whole host of cancer related innovations or some of their routes to HIV research,’ Clifford shares.

And - on a more jovial note for those style mavens who maintained their spot on the guest list - keep the fashion coming. ‘I think people get to be their true selves and they express it through the fashion that they bring on the night. For some that means being extremely theatrical. But what's most important is that people express their true personality. The amfAR red carpet in itself is a show and experience of the positive energy that people bring [when attending].

As ever, if in doubt, channel the inimitable Liz Taylor: a woman who used her sumptuous glamour for good, endlessly, and whose efforts still inspire the cause to no end today.