At 92, Dame Joan Collins proved once again that age is just a number, dazzling in her signature Hollywood glamour as she attended the Summer Evening Gala hosted by Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. Held at The Ivy Chelsea Garden on Tuesday, Joan was accompanied by her adoring husband, Percy Gibson, 61, and together, they turned heads at this star-studded charity event, which aimed to raise crucial funds for terminally ill children across London and Surrey.
Looking as chic as ever, Joan wore a white satin tuxedo-style jacket, the lapel adorned with a delicate rose. Beneath, she paired it with a sleek black shirt with leather edging, smart trousers, and her iconic voluminous curls, completing the look with a rich dark red lip for that perfect pop of color.
For a couple whose love defies time, the chemistry between Joan and Percy was undeniable. The two looked inseparable, enjoying the evening while drawing the admiration of onlookers. Percy, a renowned Hollywood producer known for his work on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, looked dashing in a white button-up shirt, black slacks, and a camel blazer. Despite their 32-year age gap, Joan has often joked about their relationship with a witty remark: “If he dies, he dies.” But the truth is, their love story is one for the books.
The evening was filled with other famous faces, including Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli, who stood out in a mesh vest and white trousers, paired with a grey blazer featuring a colorful floral design. Two-time Oscar nominee Brenda Blethyn, 80, also graced the event, looking youthful in a chic shirt dress. Meanwhile, TV personality Lizzie Cundy turned heads in a daring yellow gown with a thigh-high slit.
As she mingled, Joan continued to champion her natural beauty, famously declaring that she would never use weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. “I think if you’re going to lose weight, you have to cut down,” she shared. “You don’t want to live on a celery stick.” With her glowing, age-defying complexion, it’s clear that Joan continues to live life on her own terms.
The night also highlighted the strength of Joan and Percy’s enduring bond. Their relationship began in 2000 when they first met during the production of Love Letters, and from there, their connection blossomed into a deep and lasting friendship. Despite their age difference, Joan found in Percy not only a partner but a soulmate. “Ultimately, friendship, mutual respect, values, and understanding are what bind a relationship,” she wrote in a 2018 Daily Mail column. “Percy is my soulmate, my rock.”
Their love story is a testament to the power of timing, trust, and shared values. Joan’s previous marriages, which were well-documented over the years, had their challenges, but her connection with Percy has endured, with their relationship going strong for over two decades. They tied the knot in February 2002, and Joan has often quipped that their marriage has lasted longer than the sum of her previous four.
As they continue their journey together, Joan and Percy remain a symbol of love that transcends age, proving that true companionship and mutual respect are the keys to lasting happiness. Their devotion to one another is as unwavering as Joan’s commitment to her ageless beauty.
In her own words, Joan summed it up best: “As Percy said on the day that we married, we are each other’s accomplices in mischief, comrades in arms, confessors, confidants, fearless leaders and loyal supporters, and very best of friends.” Here’s to many more years of love, laughter, and glamour.
