Nobel Peace Laureate Mikhail Gorbachev will host the Women's World Awards on November 29 in Leipzig, the World Awards Organisation announced in Vienna.
The former president of Soviet Union and the current president of the World Awards will present awards in 10 categories to women of outstanding achievement during a glittering gala ceremony, sponsored by the SuperFund Investment Group.
Benazir Bhutto, Former Pakistani Prime Minister, will be presented the 2005 World Tolerance for proving that women can make a difference in the Islamic world. She, as the Pakistan Prime Minister, became the first woman to head an Islamic country. Despite continued political turbulence, she was able to initiate important health and social reforms as well as improve the overall situation of women in Pakistan.
Renowned international celebrities such as Rupert Everett ("My Best Friend's Wedding") and Christopher Lee ("Lord of the Rings") are expected to attend as speakers, in addition to other celebrities in this star-studded event.
The award winners are: "Desperate Housewives" Star Teri Hatcher to Receive the 2005 World Actress Award; Donatella Versace: 2005 World Fashion Award as Designer of the Year. In addition to her business success, she has also been a model philanthropist, supporting various AIDS charities and bringing much needed public attention to the problems caused by this devastating disease.
The Canadian beauty impressed the fashion world with her spectacular campaigns for Chanel, Gianfranco Ferre, Versace and Christian Dior. She is also heavily involved with the AIDS foundation of the cosmetics group MAC, and gives her support to numerous other humanitarian projects.
Additional awards will be presented to the following people: The Mothers of SOS Children's Village will be collectively honoured with the 2005 Women of the Year Award for their incredible, selfless efforts to give children who have lost their parents or are no longer able to live with them a permanent home and stable environment.
Painter and photographer Alison Lapper will be presented with the World Achievement Award. Lapper, who was born without arms and shortened legs due to a medical condition known as phocomelia, has made many influential contributions to the art world, challenging society's preconceptions on motherhood and disability.
Further award winners will be announced in the coming days.