It was October 9, and Denise Rich was about to host
a christening party for 200 people at North Cove Marina in New York City for her
new 157-foot Christensen, Lady
Joy. Up until that day, the fall weather had been clear,
sunny and crisp. Unfortunately, on that Tuesday, the air was heavy and the moody
sky iffy at best. The festivities were set up for the outside deck areas.
The party planners were holding their breath, at the ready for Plan B.
Joy is Rich’s middle name. And despite the fact that she has
had more than her fair share of life’s challenges and personal tragedies, Rich
does indeed radiate an aura of joy. A singer-songwriter with a Grammy award to
her credit, Rich is recognized in New York City as an exuberant socialite who
not only has talent, good looks and money, but who also has a big heart. Several
years ago, she lost her 27-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, to leukemia. As a way
to honor her daughter’s memory and to be active in finding a cure for cancer,
Rich established the G&P Foundation for Cancer Research in 1996. Rich’s
annual Angel Ball raises millions of dollars for cancer research. Her guests and
donors include an A-list of affluent moguls, musicians, Hollywood stars and
heads of state. Rich is all about celebrating life, and Lady Joy is all about
celebration.
 Photograph by Startraks Photo. (Click image to enlarge)
The yacht was abuzz with activity getting ready for the party.
A cherry-picker crane was in place for enabling the breaking of the bottle over
the bow. Rich’s entourage was finalizing last-minute details. Caterers were
scurrying about. The head stewardess was fussing over arrangements on the aft
sun-deck table. A television crew was standing by. You’ve heard of the white
party; well, the theme on this deck was a "white candy bar," replete with every
imaginable delectable in white, from cakes to white chocolate to yogurt covered
pretzels to marshmallows.
Rich made her entrance and all heads turned. She is a very
attractive blonde with a commanding presence. I had been curious about her when
I first heard she had commissioned the yacht. I don’t know a lot of single women
who’ve taken on the substantial project of building a megayacht. While it’s not
uncommon for wives to be by their husbands’ sides during a build and to exert
influence over design and details, it’s fair to say that men generally initiate
the majority of new builds. When Rich purchased her previous boat, a 140-foot
Heesen, she was involved in its renovation, but building new is a different
story entirely.
Rich grew up in Massachusetts and her first memory of boating
was on her uncle’s boat. "I love to be out of doors, to experience weather. I
love the mountains, and I love the ocean," said Rich.
Like many other yacht owners, she made the decision to purchase
her own boat after 15 or so years of charter. She chartered her first boat,
Big Eagle, in the early nineties.
"I was so excited about that particular boat that I told all my
friends about it, and then the boat became so popular, it wasn’t available when
I wanted it."
She chartered a variety of yachts in the Caribbean and the
Mediterranean. "One of the reasons I decided to own a boat was so that I could
go where I wanted to go when I wanted to go there. Chartering is not always
convenient; the boat you want may be booked, or maybe the boat is not
available in the location where you want it. One of the reasons to charter is to
have the freedom to do what you want.
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