NBC honcho pays $50,000 to learn who's 'So Vain'

CARLY SIMON finally will reveal who the mysterious subject of her 1972 mega-hit You're So Vain is to raise money for a Martha's Vineyard charity, but to only one person for a winning bid of $50,000.

Actor Warren Beatty is widely speculated to be the subject of the song that hit No. 1 in December, 1972, though Stones lead singer Mick Jagger and her husband at the time, James Taylor, have been mentioned as contenders.

On the NBC Today Show on Tuesday, NBC Sports president Dick Ebersol said he had won the bidding at Monday's Possible Dreams Auction to benefit the community services of Martha's Vineyard, where Ms Simon lives.

Mr Ebersol said he would ante up $50,000 to learn Ms Simon's secret, but the songstress is requiring him to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Ms Simon, aged 58, once dated movie star Beatty and Jagger sang back-up on the song.

Mr Ebersol said MsSimon told him he could offer a clue as to the identity of the mystery man.

"The letter 'E' is in the person's name."