Power publicist Todd Shapiro is so connected, he needed four parties in a week to properly celebrate his 60th birthday — and 30 years of his company.
A well-wisher at one of the fetes — thrown in Palm Beach, Albany, Manhattan and Long Island — recalled once challenging Shapiro to a contest to see who had the bigger Rolodex, adding the PR whiz prevailed with well over 29,000 contacts.
At the New York celebrations, friendly rivals razzed each other from both sides of the aisle.
Billionaire onetime GOP mayoral hopeful John Catsimatidis humorously recalled how he and fellow guest Letitia James first met when the future New York Attorney General was picketing outside one of his buildings.
But he said that they became pals when he thought, “‘it’s cold out there!’ I invited her up for coffee. We were enemies and then we were friends forever.”
“It was 15 years ago. You know how I know that was 15 years ago?” Cats quipped to the crowd. “Because my tax abatement is up in that building.”
He also joked, “Todd has had 11 parties already! We flew down to Mar-a-Lago. Don’t tell Tish!” James, of course, brought a civil fraud case against Trump and his businesses.
Former Gov. David Paterson also got laughs with lines like, “What do you call a lawyer with an IQ of 80? Your honor.” He also added, “When I was on ‘SNL’ they made so much fun of me for being blind, I forgot I was Black!”
Mayor Eric Adams said of Shapiro, “Thank you for your friendship. Happy birthday to you! The big 60! Enjoy life the way you have done, thank you brother, we love you dearly.”
Shapiro fondly praised Adams, and also joked to the social politico, “Can you get me into a nightclub?”
The parade of power players at the Bryant Park Grill also included Gov. George Pataki, Mayor Bill de Blasio, crooner Al B. Sure, attorney Arthur Aidala, supermarket mogul Stew Leonard Jr., Knicks great Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Jets star Mark Gastineau and Cushman & Wakefield’s Bruce Mosler.
The birthday celebrations began on Shapiro’s actual birthday, Jan. 4, at Florida private club the Breakers where billionaire 77 WABC Radio owners John and Margo Catsimatidis had a gathering for Shapiro.
They also hit Mar-a-Lago for an intimate dinner where we hear President-elect Trump extended birthday wishes to the spin doctor. (Shapiro previously handled PR for a proposed Trump project at Jones Beach.)
Also at the dinner was Shapiro’s wife, Liz, as well as Maria and Kenneth Fishel and Andrea Catsimatidis. Sen. Marco Rubio and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni were among those dining nearby, we hear.
On their way out of town via private jet, Shapiro was spotted schmoozing with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Catsimatidis family on the runway.
Back in New York State, Shapiro was feted with a celebration in upstate Albany at his popular politico eatery, the War Room Tavern.
Guests included New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, New York Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay and Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, we hear.
The Manhattan party followed the next night.
On Friday, a Nassau County birthday luncheon for Shapiro was hosted by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy and Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. at the Union at Eisenhower Park.
Said a pal, “The party celebrated Todd’s Long Island roots, and early career as a press secretary in Suffolk County.”
Later that night a Suffolk County bash was planned, with over 500 attendees at Islip Airport and expected guests including Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney and Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. We hear that a surprise musical guest was booked.
Shapiro is also announcing the launch of a new events media company.
He said in a statement of his birthday bashes: “These events are a testament to the relationships I’ve built over three decades. I’m excited to channel this momentum into creating new opportunities and meaningful connections for clients.”
