“Until the Last Days of His Life”: Donatella Versace Opens Up About Deceased Loved One to Dwyane Wade

There are two significant spots in Miami’s landscape. One is the home of the Miami Heat which will soon boast a statue of Dwyane Wade. The other is the late Gianni Versace’s villa. The former home of the Milanese-born fashion legend became synonymous with pop culture, though his family has since sold it. Gianni had other residences in his lifetime that remain special to his sister, Donatella Versace. The Versace mogul was on Wade’s podcast, The Why, reflecting on how much the memories of her late brother mean to her.

After Gianni’s tragic death, Donatella kept their fashion house going and thriving. She also grew the many friendships Gianni forged and now D-Wade is a part of. Since he’s been in the Versace fold, Wade has seen a rare side of the creative genius when she’s hosting a party in Gianni’s old residence. He saw that too at one of their most recent events together in Gianni’s apartment.

“It’s very touching for me all the time,” Donatella told Wade about hosting him and their celebrity friends in Gianni’s apartment. “Because that was Gianni’s house until the last days of his life. And so many memories come to me at the house.”

For a lot of stars under the Versace banner, sharing a part of Gianni’s legacy is a big deal. But his sister revealed to Dwyane Wade that the founder of the brand was different.

Donatella apparently would be skeptical when Gianni wanted to host a party at his home after every successful runway show. He would make many promises that he’d be there but as she always predicted, he never was. He’d usually sleep in another room while a party rages on. But Donatella Versace said her brother loved to give people the chance to enjoy beautiful things like one of his gorgeous houses. She keeps that tradition going.

Dwyane Wade and Versace Mogul party it up

Things nearly went awry for the fashion mogul at a party she was hosting with the 3x NBA champion. The passionate LGBTQ+ activists were hosting a fundraiser at the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center ahead of the Academy Awards. But Donatella got stuck in an elevator right before the event.

READ MORE: Dwyane Wade Won’t Stop With 1 Oscar Nominee Production as Deep-Seated ‘Desire’ Hits Hard

She was rescued, a little rattled, but went right to work hosting the event. She donated $50,000 to the center and Wade, with his wife Gabrielle Union, matched her contribution. After that successful event, Wade put on his Versace suit and attended the Oscars as one of the nominees. He changed it up another monochrome Versace ensemble for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

And he and Donatella hinted at more to come from this partnership. Which could mean a lot more stunning parties in the future.

READ MORE: Dwyane Wade Joins $280 Million Worth Superstars With Countless Medals on Covers of French Magazine