Hayek’s husband is the current CEO of Kering, which owns multiple luxury brands such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga
By
Alexia Fernandez
and
Peter Mikelbank
April 15, 2019 08:23 PM
Salma Hayek‘s husband François-Henri Pinault has pledged €100 million (over US $113 million) to help rebuild the fallen Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
In a statement obtained by French newspaper
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Pinault’s donation is the first major one announced. Through Kering, 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 to
Hayek, 52, shared an image of the burning 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 were married in Paris on February 14, 2009, at the City Hall of the Sixth Arrondissement, which is less than a mile away from the historic church.
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty
Pinault’s pledge follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech on Monday night in which he said the cathedral would be rebuilt.
A public fundraising drive has been announced and will open Tuesday morning in France.
RELATED: Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral ‘Saved and Preserved’ After Massive Fire, Says Official
“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.”
RELATED VIDEO: Fire Breaks Out At Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral
The blaze erupted around 6:30 p.m. Monday local time and appears to have completely consumed the landmark’s roof. The building’s towering spire fell and portions of the roof have collapsed, according to France 24.
RELATED: See the Chilling Moment Notre Dame’s Spire Collapses During Horrific Fire: ‘Paris Is Beheaded’
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.”