A $500,000 Conversation: Kristen Stewart’s Role in Hurricane Sandy Relief

Back in December 2012, at the height of a star-studded charity event, the 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief, a story emerged behind the scenes that would spark conversation about celebrity involvement in charity work.

Producer Harvey Weinstein revealed that a wealthy prince from the Middle East made a very unusual offer: he would donate a substantial amount of money to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy, but only on one condition. He requested a 15-minute private conversation with actress Kristen Stewart.

Instead of simply agreeing, Kristen reportedly asked, “How much?” Weinstein, knowing the prince was serious, pushed the price up to $500,000, and the prince accepted. The money was handed over upfront—in cash—before any meeting took place. James Dolan, the executive in charge of Madison Square Garden at the time, secured the cash safely in the building, ensuring the donation would be legitimate.

Later that evening, Kristen Stewart and the prince had their 15-minute chat in a private room, after which they went their separate ways. Kristen did not keep the money for herself; instead, the funds were donated to the Robin Hood Foundation’s Sandy relief fund, alongside millions raised from the concert.

The money went directly toward supporting groups helping communities recover from the devastating storm, turning what started as a brief, unusual conversation into significant aid for those in need. It’s an example of how one moment, fueled by a strange offer, helped bring in much-needed resources during a time of crisis.