New York Turns Out In Style As Giuliani Marries For Third Time

Independent (UK) ^ | 5-25-2003 | David Usborne

[blam]

New York turns out in style as Giuliani marries for third time

By David Usborne in New York
25 May 2003

The Rudy Giuliani story has been one of the best soap operas in town since his bitter bust-up with his former wife two years ago, his run-in with prostate cancer the year before and, of course, his political heroics as New York's Mayor after the 11 September attacks. Roll credits this weekend for the happy ending.

Yesterday was wedding day for Mr Giuliani, 58, holder of an honorary knighthood from the Queen. In fact, there were no TV cameras for the strictly private ceremony - which is a pity, since the setting was gorgeous: Gracie Mansion, the newly refurbished mayoral residence on the East River.

"Hizzonner the Mayor", who was marrying his girlfriend of three years, Judith Nathan, had his pick of fancy hotels and other venues in the city for his nuptials, to be officiated by his successor, Michael Bloomberg. But the mansion was perfect. Or it was entirely inappropriate, depending on how you look at it.

Maybe he chose it to remind New Yorkers that his political ambitions were still burning. Governor or even President Giuliani are titles that come to mind. Or because it is much easier for security to protect than a hotel, what with reporters and al-Qa'ida terrorists to worry about.

Yet, this was also the home where his 18-year marriage to the TV personality Donna Hanover so publicly spun apart in the months before his time as Mayor ended. In the summer of 2001, he was evicted from the mayoral mansion by a livid Ms Hanover, who had got wind of the affair with Ms Nathan. The wronged wife was thereafter dubbed "Cruella" by the Mayor's sharp-tongued divorce lawyer.

Ms Hanover, who presents a cable show about celebrity homes, was not expected at Gracie Mansion last night. But then the list of 300 invited to attend was a closely held secret. We did know who was not invited, however: they included another ex-mayor and long-time political thorn in Mr Giuliani's side, Ed Koch. Mr Koch tried not to sound bitter: "I'm not a close friend, but I wish him well," he said. "But if he runs for Mayor again, I won't vote for him."

Mr Giuliani, who runs a political and security consulting partnership, was spotted all about town last week, grinning madly. On Monday, he and his fiancée collected the marriage licence from City Hall. "I'm very, very happy," he informed the attendant reporters. "I'm looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together." Thursday saw a stag party at Yankee Stadium, given by the groom's 17-year-old son, Andrew, also the best man.

The other star of the show, though, was Mr Bloomberg. Usually he prefers to avoid any official activities on a Saturday, when he can be found on the golf course or inspecting his various homes worldwide. Mr Bloomberg also made it clear when he took office last year that he had no intention of using his mayoral powers to marry people.

But for Mr Giuliani, he made an exception. Indeed, he wrote a whole new policy on the matter. He will be available in future to officiate at weddings of former New York mayors only, and for no one else. Which means he'll surely never have to do it again - Mr Koch has never married, and shows no intention of doing so - though this assumes the Nathan-Giuliani pact holds good.

This is, after all, Mr Giuliani's third stab at marriage. When he won Ms Hanover, he first had to break away from his first wife of 14 years, Regina Peruggi. He managed by persuading the Catholic church to annul the union. Which wasn't so hard, since he and Ms Peruggi are second cousins.

[liberalnot]

yeah, right!

do you know how many men i've known that have worked during prostrate cancer?

or, women that i've known that worked during breast cancer?
a professional friend of mine had both breasts removed one day mid-week and was seeing clients the next monday.

[deadhead]

"He's not perfect, just a good man who did a great deal of good for this city"

I agree NYC GOP Chick.

I hope they have many happy years together. Having his son Andrew as his best man was a loving gesture. The bachelor party at Yankee Stadium, perfect. Rudy loves the Yankees.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Are you his doctor? Do you know how severe his cancer was or how debilitating his treatment was?

Do you even realize that he was already working superhuman hours as Mayor of New York City and that traveling around the state in addition to all that could have been too much of a hardship for him?

[NYC GOP Chick]

I just don't understand the hostility over him having his son as best man. I get how some people can be put off by his multiple marriages and how they seem to overlap a bit {g}, but NYers who know and have watched their marriage disintegrate aren't surprised that he finally found someone who loves him and makes him happy -- without demanding power and perks in return.

[Lib-Lickers 2]

and the Sawwwwwwxxxx are up by a game and a half,, booo haaaaa haaa haa,,

[gumbo]

Actually, the wire stories say that the color is "oyster," not white. :)

Heh. Same difference, as they say in New York.

[Night Hides Not]

Another sanctimonius Saturday night thread, wouldn't you say? I'm willing to cut Rudy some slack, and I hope he stays happily married.

Good darn thing I'm just a private citizen. I shudder at the thought of a few of my past mistakes being broadcast nationwide.

We all know he's not as conservative as we'd like him to be. However, I much prefer the thought of him being a NY Senator vs. those currently in office.

A stag party at Yankee Stadium? Think about it...I would say the writer embellished the goings on, don't you?

[liberalnot]

i think he's a dud!

[Captain Peter Blood]

I don't particuarly care for Giuliani, I give the Devil his due on 9-11, but even all that I find overhyped.
Why in the Hell Giuliani & his latest wife felt the need to have a vast overblown tactless & classless wedding is beyond me. At this point in their lives I think less is better and a small intimate ceremony with family and a few friends would have been much better.
All the celebrity status has gone to Giuliani's head, and I don't mean the one he thinks with.
Well we'll see how long this marriage will last, only until something new & better comes along.
I wonder if he has a portable can of compressed air, he'll need it to get his pump up and working.

[Miss Marple]

I am happy he married Judith, I see nothing wrong with his son standing up with him, and I wish them both years of happiness.

What accounts for the Saturday night vitriol? I don't happen to agree with Guiliani on abortion, but he was an excellent mayor, a good campaigner for Republicans last year, and is a staunch supporter of the president.

Oh, maybe that's it. Why look at someone's good qualities, when we can dwell on personal failings and get everyone to arguing. Maybe we can even cause a division in the party!

I sometimes wonder about some of the posters here....

[NYC GOP Chick]

No, not really the same at all.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Hey, it was one of the British tabloids. If they make up some salacious-sounding detail, it just wouldn't be the same. ;)

[NYC GOP Chick]

So, don't vote for him if he ever runs for office again. And please make sure to trash him if he runs against Hillary in '06 -- God forbid we ever try to get her out of office...

[NYC GOP Chick]

I wonder too -- especially about some of the newer people here... There were times that Rudy angered me, but he did so much good here and he is a good man.

[Jim Noble]

Double adulterer and fornicator

I am happy for you that you have been so fortunate in life.

[madprof98]

I am happy for you that you have been so fortunate in life.

Avoiding adultery and fornication are not matters of luck. They are matters of choice and responsibility.

[alisasny]

Frankly it is my opinion that he is not the Senator of NY due to his cancer. Had it not been for the cancer he would have stayed in the race and destroyed the shrew in debate if she even agreed to debate. He dropped out of the race before we knew any details of Judith. We all knew him and Donna were living seperate lives for years and her record.

[alisasny]

I wish Rudy the best however am troubled that he is still very good friends with former Monsignor Placa. I had heard nothing about them since Placa was removed from the Catholic Church yet he was a guest last night. I understand hate the sin love the sinner but Placa truly sickens me at this point. He was one of the major people in the Church involved in the coverup of abuse.

I just dont understand how one can support a known abuser no matter how long the friendship was. Place has been dishonest to Rudy for a long time so I just dont get it.

[alisasny]

re. post 34

Rudy angered everyone at some point...part of LEADERSHIP : ))

As we watch NYC return to Gotham only a New Yorker can truly appreciate how great he indeed was as Mayor.

[VOYAGER]

I am happy for you that you have been so fortunate in life.

Now I do have some difficulty believing you are all that thrilled!