'I will never forget them': Meryl Streep is moved to tears as she toasts memory of the late Christopher and Dana Reeve at charity gala

Published: 18:22 EST, 22 November 2015 | Updated: 19:43 EST, 22 November 2015

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Meryl Streep may have three Academy Awards but the star wasn't acting when she shed a tear in public last week.

The acclaimed actress' eyes welled up with emotion, according to PageSix.com, during a speech she gave at a gala to benefit the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation in New York.

'Their love is the inspiration for me to continue my dedication to this cause. I will never forget the energy that love gave off,' Streep, 66, said in her remarks.

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Emotional: Meryl Streep teared up as she recalled the late Christopher and Dana Reeve at a gala fundraiser held Thursday for their foundation that supports spinal cord research

The Superman star was paralyzed in 1995 after falling from his horse during a showjumping competition. He died of heart failure at 52 in 2004.

His wife Dana succumbed to lung cancer just two years later at the age of 44.

Both had worked tirelessly before their deaths to raise funds for spinal cord research.

Their foundation has carried on their work in their name, supported by Reeve's three children: Matthew and Alexandra, from his nine-year relationship with Gae Exton, and Will from his marriage to Dana.

Inspirational couple: Christopher, who was paralyzed in a horse riding accident in 1995, died in 2004. Dana died in 2006 from lung cancer. They're pictured at the foundation's 13th Gala in New York in 2003

Raised a glass: The three-time Oscar winner toasted the memory of the late couple and saluted the work of the foundation at the gala held at Cipriani Wall Street

Before leading the gala guests in a toast, Streep recalled an incident from years ago when she and the Reeves were raising their young children.

'My son Henry, who is Matthew Reeve’s age exactly, was six,' she recalled.

'He complained in the car afterward, ‘Mom, it wasn’t fair . . . That little boy had ‘Superman’ on his team,' she said.

Family affair: Christopher Reeve's children (from left) Matthew and Alexandra, from his relationshipw ith Gae Exton, and Will, from his marriage to Dana, posed with Streep, whose son Henry is the same age as Will

Caped crusader: Christopher Reeve was best known for his role as Superman and Streep recalled how perplexed her son Henry had been to see 'Superman' supporting the rival team at a boys football game

The veteran star, who can currently be seen in the film Suffragette with Carey Mulligan, arrived at the gala held at Cipriani Wall Street in an elegant knee-length blue silk frock with strips of black sequins running down both sides and bell sleeves.

And she dressed up the A-line garment with a statement blingy necklace that featured large black stones surrounded by sparkly diamonds with matching earrings.

She smoothed her blonde hair back into a ponytail, showing off her perfectly made-up face as she peered through her trendy, cat-eye framed glasses.

She completed her ensemble with black tights and black ankle boots.