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.

[Jim Noble]

To be fortunate in your marriage is an extraordinary blessing, and if you are, yes, I am happy for you.

[liberalnot]

you certainly have a valid argument, i'll admit.

but i differ:

1. the tabloids and newspapers had carried on for years concerning his social life and his wife had tossed him out on the street.

2. i remember him speaking and stating he was dropping out due to cancer.

but prostrate cancer isn't that big of a deal in most men. as i said above, some people continue working with cancer. i've known men that have. and, i've known women with breast cancer that have.

most interesting was a woman that i know who had both breasts removed, was taking phone calls in her hospital room, on a wednesday or thursday, and was back seeing clients on monday. you couldn't keep this woman down. my father is a dairy farmer whom i have never seen in bed, except for hospitalization. my mother said that after she met him she saw him plowing with a team of horses--very physical work, while sick with the whooping cough, circa late 1930s. flu?--he always milked cows 2x a day.

my brother is cut of the same genes; he had pneumonia, got up and milked cows 2x a day, and went back to bed in between. obviously not medically approved actions, all of these.

so, it's a matter of perception and difference among people.

3. after rudy left, it would seem to me that the republican party would have devoted pr strategists and monies to help the u.s. congressman that took her on. he obviously failed.

who am i? but a person that dislikes hillary. what qualifications did she have to assume an office among the 100? none, except that she was the wife of a recent president, armed with white house fbi background reports on her enemies. did missus clinton have information on rudy that rudy didn't want made public? i don't know.

in sum, i do not like clintons. i do not want to suffer another 8 years of them in office. and i think rudy did not do a good job. and i think the gop did not do a good job.

and, i don't like rudy.

if you like rudy, fine. you can have him.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

having the 17-year-old son as best man was in and of itself sick.

Why?

[alisasny]

Rudy dropped out of the Senate race. He continued to be the Mayor throughout his treatment which I would believe to be much more stressful than a mere Senate run like the Hillary had with the benefit of that being the only thing she had to do the entire year.

In addition had Rudy won that election, Mark Green would have been Mayor on 911 and I shudder to think about the ramifications of that.

: )

So Rudy didn't miss a beat when he had cancer however unfortunate that he did deem it necessary to drop out of the race.

In addition, as I recall imediataly after his surgury he went right back to work and it seemed quicker than the friends you describe.

[Fraulein]

"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."

Sick! Sick! Sick!

[liberalnot]

you want it both ways.

gosh, that's so c-o-o-l, ruddy went back to work before my friend who had her breasts removed.

but, this just proves my original point, way back, that rudy could have remained in the u.s. senate race.

so, what did missus clinton have on him?

[gumbo]

Well, I didn't want to get too catty. But if you think "oyster" is significantly different from white, then you must address the full length gown, plus train, and tiara, for Pete's sake. All accoutrements of the young virgin as bride -- which most definitely does not describe Judith Nathan.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

All accoutrements of the young virgin as bride -- which most definitely does not describe Judith Nathan.

I guess I just don't see why anyone would or should care what others choose to wear to their own weddings - it just doesn't impact me one way or the other. I have a feeling someone will come along here and enlighten me, though. ; )

(FWIW, I think she looked very nice and probably wanted to look as beautiful as she could for Rudy.)

[gumbo]

In everyday life, do you ever see middle-aged women dressing like teenagers -- too-tight clothes, too much make up, the latest teen hairstyle etc.?

And does it not look ridiculous?

That's what some of us think when we see a middle aged woman, mother of a teenager, gussied up like a young bride.

My initial comment was that I was surprised that sophisticated New Yorkers, who are parents of nearly grown children, and who have been co-habiting for years, would do this.

No one says they can't do it: But it's still tacky.

[firebrand]

And the bride in full regalia, all dressed in white.

[madprof98]

"Son, this is the woman I chose over your mom--you know, the one I committed adultery with back when we were married. Now that that's over with, and our family's broken up, I want you to be the chief witness to my latest promise of marital fidelity." Sounds sick to me. Is it OK by you?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Well, I don't know what kind of person "mom" was. Maybe she was horrible to "dad". Maybe the "son" actually likes Judith Nathan and is welcoming her as a stepmother.

I just don't make judgments about people I don't know as easily as some others do, apparently.

If the young man didn't want to do it, I imagine he could have said no.

I was the matron of honor in a wedding recently that was not unlike his one; the best man was the groom's 12 year-old son from a previous marriage (his dad left an alcoholic, abusive woman and married my friend a few years later), and that kid was one of the happiest people in the room. Maybe that's why I can't assume this will leave a big emotional scar on the Guiliani boy.

[BunnySlippers]

Better than remaining in a loveless marriage.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

In everyday life, do you ever see middle-aged women dressing like teenagers -- too-tight clothes, too much make up, the latest teen hairstyle etc.?

And does it not look ridiculous?

I'm 43 and I've spent my life in the music business. I have straight hair to the middle of my back, and most days you'll find me in jeans, boots, and maybe a leather jacket over a form-fitting t-shirt...and someone like you would no doubt see me and say, "She looks ridiculous!"

But that's okay with me. I don't want to cut my hair, I don't want to dress like an old (or even middle-aged, if being middle-aged means dowdy) woman, and that's my choice to make.

Likewise with her and her wedding gown. My guess is she wanted to look like a beautiful bride for her groom, and I think that's great.

[angcat]

Ms. Hanover was jealous of Rudy she resented that she had to quite her job as an anchorwomen because of "conflict of interest" when Rudy became Mayor. She would not take his name and remained Hanover, she was a real Pill. I hope he finds happiness also with this former Hazleton Hick.

[angcat]

Judy is a Native Hillybilly from Hazleton PA.

[FITZ]

No one says they can't do it: But it's still tacky.

That's my opinion.

[madprof98]

I just don't make judgments about people I don't know as easily as some others do, apparently.

Oh, yeah, God help us we should ever be JUDGMENTAL. It's the only sin the Left recognizes.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Oh, yeah, God help us we should ever be JUDGMENTAL. It's the only sin the Left recognizes.

I'm a conservative, thank you. Discerning sin is one thing, and if you want to talk about Rudy's sin, go ahead. I won't argue with you there - we all sin, even you - but what you are doing is leaping to negative conclusions about people using extremely limited information, and that's the kind of judgment I can do without.

[Hildy]

You people are like little old ladies at the beauty parlor. Geez.