Salma Hayek’s husband Francois-Henri Pinault has pledged €100 million towards the rebuilding of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
On Monday evening, the 856-year-old building went up in flames, causing the roof and spire to collapse.
In a statement given to French newspaper Le Figaro, Mr. Pinault said: “This tragedy strikes all the French and beyond all those who are attached to spiritual values. Faced with such a tragedy, everyone wants to revive this jewel of our heritage as quickly as possible.”
“My father and I have decided to release from the funds of Artemis a sum of €100m to participate in the effort that will be necessary for the complete reconstruction of Notre-Dame.”
The families behind the Gucci and Louis Vuitton empires have pledged €300 million to rebuild Notre Dame https://t.co/qrDEalKgVS pic.twitter.com/WeC8aZcnft
— Bloomberg (@business) April 16, 2019
Francois-Henri is the chairman and CEO of Kering, an international luxury group which owns the likes of Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga.
He is also the president chairman of Artemis, the holding company that controls the assets of the Pinault family. Francois-Henri’s 82-year-old father is reportedly worth an estimated $37.3 billion.
Taking to Instagram on Monday evening, Hollywood actress Salma posted a photo of the cathedral up in flames, and wrote: “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.”
According to PEOPLE, Salma and Francois-Henri own a residence near the Notre-Dame cathedral.
The couple also tied the knot in Paris on February 14, 2009, at the City Hall of the Sixth Arrondissement – which is located near the iconic cathedral.
