Photo of Gisele brings big bucks

By Carol Beggy and Mark Shanahan , Globe Staff  |  April 12, 2008

A black-and-white photo of Tom Brady's girlfriend was auctioned yesterday for $193,000, nearly five times the expected selling price. Irving Penn's stunning shot of Gisele Bundchen was one of dozens of pics from the collection of Gert Elfering that were sold at Christie's International in New York. In all, the auction tallied $4.27 million as fat cats competed for nude photos of Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, French first lady Carla Sarkozy, and Bundchen. The image of Sarkozy - formerly Carla Bruni - fetched $91,000, almost 20 times its high estimate.

The accolades keep coming for BoSox mound man Curt Schilling. Today, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts will present the pitcher with its Wish Hero award for his efforts to bring hope, strength, and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. In his tenure with the Sox, Schill has granted the wishes of six, most recently spending the day with Tyler Brown (right), a 5-year-old from Halifax.

Quite spontaneously, financial whiz Suze Orman pledged $50,000 to the Crittenton Women's Union yesterday during her acceptance of the organization's Amelia Earhart Award. The CNBC stalwart spoke to an overflow crowd at the Boston Marriott Copley Place that included Mayor Tom Menino's wife, Angela; Tufts-New England Medical Center CEO Ellen Zane and her husband, Peter, who's chair of CWU; Foundation To Be Named Later co-founder Paul Epstein and his wife, Saskia; and No. 9 Park chef Barbara Lynch. The CWU is dedicated to helping low-income women attain economic independence. Orman, we're told, was so moved by two program participants that she made the generous donation.

While it might seem like every member of the world champion Red Sox has an endorsement deal, several don't. Since first baseman Sean Casey was voted the nicest player in Major League Baseball by his peers, he'd be a perfect flack for Friendly's. And what about super sub Alex Cora, who, according to manager Terry Francona, has such a "high baseball IQ"? Cora could tout the benefits of, say, Einstein Bros. Bagels. Finally, wouldn't oft-injured J.D. Drew be an ideal pitchman for ACE bandages? Just a thought. Below, match the BoSox player and the product he hawks.

1. Kevin Youkilis

2. Manny Ramirez

3. Dustin Pedroia

4. Jonathan Papelbon

5. Tim Wakefield

6. David Ortiz

a. Dunkin' Donuts

b. vitaminwater

c. SlumpBuster energy drink

d. Macy's

e. Sullivan Tire

f. Just For Men Hair Color

Opera superstar Placido Domingo, who'll kick off the US portion of his "Around the World" tour Monday at the Citi Performing Arts Center, stopped by the Taj Boston briefly yesterday to sign autographs before heading to Fenway Park. The legendary tenor was expected to watch last night's Sox-Yanks game from the DHL box. Domingo had been invited to sing the national anthem, but declined due to the inclement weather.

Aerosmith screamer Steven Tyler huddled with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's Fenway Park staff before he made his surprise performance of "God Bless America" at this week's home opener. The staff stationed in the ballpark attends to any and all medical emergencies during home games.

Serbian tennis star Jelena Jankovic stopped by Reebok's Canton headquarters yesterday, where she volleyed a bit with the company's new president, Uli Becker, and a couple of Reebok workers. Jankovic, the world's No. 3 player, was in town as part of a benefit for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. . . . We're told Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye" was left alone as he and a few friends dined at the Beehive in the South End the other night. . . . Bianca Jagger has been chosen to deliver the commencement address to the 1,600 graduating seniors at Simmons College. (The ceremony takes place May 17 at the Bayside Expo.) The former wife of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has distinguished herself as a human-rights activist and environmentalist.

Mitt Romney's managing to keep busy while he contemplates his next move. We're told the former Massachusetts governor will be a guest of Fox News at next week's Radio and TV Correspondents Dinner in D.C. The annual laughfest is being hosted by comedian Mo Rocca. Others invited to sit with Fox kingfish Rupert Murdoch include former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee; Cabinet secretaries Elaine Chao and Michael Chertoff; former White House chief of staff Andy Card, and, yes, yours truly.

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