François-Henri Pinault — chairman and CEO of Kering KER, +0.23% , the French-based luxury group behind Gucci, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent and other world-renowned brands — has pledged over $110 million towards the rebuilding of the Notre Dame cathedral.
Pinault, who is married to actress Salma Hayek, said in a statement that he plans to pay through his family’s investment firm, Artemis, for any work that needs to be done following Monday’s catastrophic fire, according to AFP.
The billionaire reportedly pledged 100 million euros, or $113 million. He hopes that the money will help church officials “completely rebuild Notre Dame.” French president Emmanuel Macron had vowed to do so earlier in the day.
“We will rebuild Notre Dame because it is what the French expect,” Macron said, calling it “the epicenter” of their lives.
“It is what our history deserves,” he added. “It is, in the deepest sense, our destiny.
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