A second French magnate is making a financial donation to help rebuild the fallenNotre Dame Cathedralin Paris.
Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault — the 70-year-old chairman and chief operating officer of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company — announced on Tuesday thathis family and business organization will offer €200 million (over US $226 million) to help repair the damaged structure.
“The Arnault family and the LVMH Group, in solidarity with this national tragedy, are committed to asset with the reconstruction of this extraordinary cathedral, symbol of France, its heritage and its unity,” the statement read, explaining the donation will go to “the fund dedicated to the reconstruction of this architectural work, which is a core part of the French History.”
In addition to the financial pledge, Arnault’s LVMH Group offered its “creative, architectural, and financial specialists” to aid “the State and the relevant authorities” with “the long work of reconstruction and fundraising.”
His contribution comes afterSalma Hayek‘s husbandFrançois-Henri Pinaultpledged €100 million (over US $113 million) to the cause.
Pinault’s donation was 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.”
Chesnot/Getty; Inset: Chesnot/Getty
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.”
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.
AP/Shutterstock
French PresidentEmmanuel Macron said in a speechon Monday night that thecathedral would be rebuilt.
A public fundraising drive has already been announced and opened 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.”
Monday’s blaze erupted around 6:30 p.m. local time and appears to have completely consumed the landmark’s roof. Thebuilding’s towering spire fell, 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.
By days end, a Paris fire official announced the fire had been contained and that the structure will be “saved and preserved.”
source: people.com
