Salma Hayekis praising her husbandFrançois-Henri Pinaultfor not making gains out of his major Notre Dame donation.
The 52-year-old actress’ husband and father-in-law pledged over $113 million in a non-tax deductible donation afterMonday’s devastating fire at Notre Dame Cathedralin Paris. Hayek paid tribute to her family members with anInstagrammessage written in both French and English.
“Today more than ever I feel proud to be part of the Pinault family,” she wrote on Wednesday. “Not only for their personal and heartfelt participation in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris but also because their contribution won’t be claiming any tax deductions from the government.”
“My husband and father-in-law are two generous french citizens, who sincerely understand the importance of this spiritual, cultural and historical treasure from Paris to the world,” Hayek concluded.
Pinault’s was the first major donation announced. Through international luxury groupKering, 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’sBillionaires Index.
Over$1 billion has been raisedto help rebuild the cathedral from the massive fire.
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.
Hayek shared an image of theburning cathedral on Instagramon Monday, 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!”
The massive fire at Notre Dame erupted around 6:30 p.m. Monday local time, causing thebuilding’s towering spire to falland portions of the roof to collapse.
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 later announced the fire had been contained and that the structure will be “saved and preserved.”
source: people.com
