LOS ANGELES - Lakers star Pau Gasol is looking a little bit different in the face department after having shaved off his beard.
Gasol told Zorro La Bamba with The Sports Bet Gazette that he did not shave the beard because he lost a bet as one of the supermarket tabloids had erroneously reported.
The native of Spain said that the real reason why he shaved the beard was because a very wealthy woman from Barcelona, Spain told him that if he shaved off his beard she would pay him $1 million.
Gasol said that at first he thought that the lady was simply pulling his leg but when he was contacted by a Beverly Hills attorney with the details he knew the offer was legit.
After talking it over with his girlfriend they both figured that after nine years with the beard perhaps it was time to shave it.
The Spanish lady identified as Spanish Rice heiress Altadena Ballesteros-Schwartz, 51, flew in from Spain to attend the beard shaving event which was held at The Mrs. Ponce De Leon Hotel in Beverly Hills.
She had her assistant take before and after photos. Noted hair stylist to the stars FuFi Fondue did the beard shaving honors at the request of Gasol.
After the beard was off, Mrs. Ballesteros-Schwartz handed Pau a cashier's check for $1 million. He hugged her and gave her a passionate French kiss.
The Spanish heiress jokingly said that he had just earned another $800.
SIDENOTE: La Bamba asked Pau if he had any plans for the money. He said that he may use it as a down payment towards Sandra Bullock's home Casa Vrrroom-Vrrroom which was named by Bullock's ex-husband Jesse "The Wandering Wiener" James.
