Droppin$$
02-02-2005, 11:34 AM
A heartsick millionaire has a special Valentine for New Yorkers.
To honor the memory of his beloved wife who died of breast cancer in 2003, international financier Henri Zimand is offering free carriage rides through Central Park over Valentine's Day weekend to the first 150 couples who submit a love letter.
Zimand, 57, who was born in Belgium and lives in Israel and Monaco, also is giving away a free trip to Monte Carlo to the lucky couple with the most romantic missive.
Zimand and his wife, Anda, often sent love letters to each other. He works through his grief by writing her notes.
"Dear Anda," he wrote recently after one of their four sons had a birthday party. "I remember how the dancing flames from the candles reflected in your beautiful eyes and I found myself falling in love with you all over again. ... I will forever be seeing the sparkle of your eyes."
Since his wife passed away, Zimand has devoted his life to keeping her memory alive, donating more than $5 million to charities, cancer research and cultural causes.
Through the love letter-writing contest, Zimand hopes to encourage more couples to engage in the old-fashioned ritual to celebrate the magic of romance. "I simply want others to feel what we felt for one another for over 20 years, and what I continue to feel now that she is gone," Zimand said.
To qualify for the carriage giveaway, Zimand is asking New Yorkers to compose a heartfelt love letter to a spouse, a significant other or even a potential lover and bring it to The Plaza hotel between Monday and Thursday between 9:30a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Romantic missives are to be dropped off in a pink treasure box, which will be located in front of the world-renowned hotel where the Zimands spent every Valentine's Day.
The first 150 people to bring letters will then schedule their 30-minute rides in a Cinderella-style carriage covered in pink roses. The rides are set to take place from Feb. 11 to Feb. 15.
Submissions also can be made via the Internet at Zimand's Web tribute to his wife (www.loveanda.com).
The winner of the Monte Carlo trip will be chosen by the editors of Tango, a new romance-themed magazine.
To honor the memory of his beloved wife who died of breast cancer in 2003, international financier Henri Zimand is offering free carriage rides through Central Park over Valentine's Day weekend to the first 150 couples who submit a love letter.
Zimand, 57, who was born in Belgium and lives in Israel and Monaco, also is giving away a free trip to Monte Carlo to the lucky couple with the most romantic missive.
Zimand and his wife, Anda, often sent love letters to each other. He works through his grief by writing her notes.
"Dear Anda," he wrote recently after one of their four sons had a birthday party. "I remember how the dancing flames from the candles reflected in your beautiful eyes and I found myself falling in love with you all over again. ... I will forever be seeing the sparkle of your eyes."
Since his wife passed away, Zimand has devoted his life to keeping her memory alive, donating more than $5 million to charities, cancer research and cultural causes.
Through the love letter-writing contest, Zimand hopes to encourage more couples to engage in the old-fashioned ritual to celebrate the magic of romance. "I simply want others to feel what we felt for one another for over 20 years, and what I continue to feel now that she is gone," Zimand said.
To qualify for the carriage giveaway, Zimand is asking New Yorkers to compose a heartfelt love letter to a spouse, a significant other or even a potential lover and bring it to The Plaza hotel between Monday and Thursday between 9:30a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Romantic missives are to be dropped off in a pink treasure box, which will be located in front of the world-renowned hotel where the Zimands spent every Valentine's Day.
The first 150 people to bring letters will then schedule their 30-minute rides in a Cinderella-style carriage covered in pink roses. The rides are set to take place from Feb. 11 to Feb. 15.
Submissions also can be made via the Internet at Zimand's Web tribute to his wife (www.loveanda.com).
The winner of the Monte Carlo trip will be chosen by the editors of Tango, a new romance-themed magazine.