Salma Hayek‘s husbandFrançois-Henri Pinaulthas pledged €100 million (over US $113 million) to help rebuild the fallenNotre Dame Cathedralin Paris.
Pinault’s donation is the first major one announced. ThroughKering, an international luxury group, his family owns and controls a number of businesses including Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga.
The elder Pinault, who is 82, is worth an estimated $37.3 billion, according toBloomberg’s“Billionaires Index“.
Hayek, 52, shared an image of theburning cathedral on Instagram, writing in the caption, “As many others I’m in deep shock and sadness to witness the beauty of Notre-Dame turn into smoke. I love you Paris. Comme beaucoup d’autres, c’est avec effroi et tristesse que je regarde la beauté de Norte-Dame partir en fumée… Paris, je t’aime !#notredame#paris.”
The Oscar-nominated actress and the businessman have a residence near the cathedral and weremarried in Parison February 14, 2009, at the City Hall of the Sixth Arrondissement, which is less than a mile away from the historic church.
John Sciulli/Getty
Pinault’s pledge follows French PresidentEmmanuel Macron’s speechon Monday night in which he said thecathedral would be rebuilt.
A public fundraising drive has been announced and will open Tuesday morning in France.
“The worst has been avoided, but the battle isn’t fully won yet,” Macron, 41, told crowds outside the church.
He continued, “It is with pride I tell you tonight we will rebuild this cathedral . . . we will rebuild Notre Dame because it is what the French expect of us, it is what our history deserves, it is, in the deepest sense, our destiny.”
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty
The blaze erupted around 6:30 p.m. Monday local time and appears to have completely consumed the landmark’s roof. Thebuilding’s towering spire felland portions of the roof have collapsed, according to France 24.
Pedestrians flooded the streets to watch the blaze, many in tears, one Paris resident told PEOPLE. On Monday evening,a crowd gathered to sing“Ave Maria” near the cathedral.
A Paris fire official announced the fire had been contained and that the structure will be “saved and preserved.”
source: people.com
