The Newly Married Sidney Sheldons Honored at Party

The stretch limousines stretched out the driveway and down the block. The Rolls-Royces rolled in one after another. It was a busy night at Jimmy’s, where author Sidney Sheldon was inside celebrating his recent marriage with his bride, Alexandra Kostoff Sheldon.

The couple were married Oct. 14 in Las Vegas in what Sidney Sheldon described as “a very private ceremony, just family, no friends.”

After a stay at Caesars Palace, they honeymooned in New England and spent a week reviving at La Costa. Now they’re back in Los Angeles for awhile; their many friends, family and business associates had gathered Monday night to throw them a belated wedding reception, Beverly Hills style.

A stack of crisply wrapped boxes and a bag from Tiffany sat near the door. Though the invitations had specified no gifts, a Beverly Hills wedding party without presents would be like . . . well, like a Beverly Hills wedding party without Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Gabor was there, of course, becoming the instant center of attention when she entered with her husband, Prince Frederick von Anhalt. (Seems like just a year ago when Zsa Zsa’s appearance at a party would be saluted with only a few perfunctory flashbulbs. Judging from the photographic panic that now ensues, Zsa Zsa is the Hungarian Madonna.)

There were plenty of other notables to look at, too. Creative Artists Agency head Mike Ovitz made a brief appearance and left quickly after congratulating the Sheldons and conferring with Marvin Davis, who was there with his wife, Barbara.

Also there: Sidney Sheldon’s daughter, Mary, and granddaughter, Elizabeth; Milton Berle; Mrs. Morton Phillips (“Dear Abby”); Nancy and Alan Livingston; Lloyd Bridges; Anne and Kirk Douglas; Red Buttons; Jack Carter; Ed McMahon; and dozens of members of the Hollywood media.

They and about 200 other guests had photos taken with the newlyweds and snacked from a buffet with fresh oysters and shrimp, meatballs, lox, fresh vegetables and other cocktail hour repasts.

What’s up next for the couple?

“We’re going to Europe,” said Sidney, shaking hands with well-wishers.

Inveterate Sheldon fans also will be glad to know that his next hardback original, a sequel to “The Other Side of Midnight” titled “Memories of Midnight,” is scheduled to be out within a year.

With that kind of prolificacy, the Sheldons should have their thank-you notes written in no time at all.