• June 09, 2003
• Vol. 59
• No. 22

Love and Hizzoner

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani Weds Judith Nathan

The country got to know Rudy Giuliani as the nerves-of-steel mayor who led New York City in the aftermath of 9/11. As a groom on May 24, he displayed the same confidence—along with a romantic streak. Shortly before exchanging traditional vows at the city's mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion, bride Judith Nathan received a surprise "something new" from Giuliani: a Piaget pearl-and-diamond necklace that matched her 19th-century tiara from Fred Leighton. "They're just mad for each other," says Vera Wang, who designed Nathan's gown. "That's what came through during the entire wedding."

The family affair featured Nathan's daughter from her first marriage, Whitney, 18, as maid of honor and Giuliani's son Andrew, 17, as best man. (His mom is Giuliani's second wife, Donna Hanover; their daughter, Caroline, 13, also attended.) At one point Giuliani, 59, stepped it up when he danced with Nathan, 48, who heads a philanthropic group, before the 400 or so guests. "For all of New York's cynicism," says columnist Cindy Adams, a guest, "nobody could take away from the beauty of the moment."