News24
16 Apr 2019, 13:13 GMT+10
France's luxury-goods tycoons pledged 300 million euros ($339 million) to help in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame cathedral after the Paris landmark was ravaged by fire on Monday, answering a call from President Emmanuel Macron for a fund-raising campaign.
Francois-Henri Pinault, the chairman and chief executive officer of Gucci owner Kering SA, and his father, Francois Pinault, will donate 100 million euros from their Artemis investment company, the family said Tuesday in an emailed statement.
Their archrival, the Arnault family, responded minutes later with a pledge of 200 million euros and the architectural and design resources of their LVMH fashion conglomerate.
"This tragedy is striking all the French people, and beyond that, all those attached to spiritual values," Francois-Henri Pinault, 56, said in the statement. "Faced with this tragedy, everyone wishes to give life back to this jewel of our heritage as soon as possible."
Macron vowed to rebuild Notre-Dame in central Paris after the fire hit the 850-year-old Gothic monument. He called for donations to reconstruct the building and said he would draw on the world's best talents for the task.
The elder Pinault, 82, is the world's 23rd richest person, with a fortune estimated at $37.3 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The Ile-de-France regional government around Paris will release 10 million euros in emergency aid to the archdiocese for initial rebuilding work, Valerie Pecresse, the region's elected head, said in an interview on Radio Classique. People wanting to make donations can do so via the non-profit Fondation du Patrimoine, Pecresse said.
Bernard Arnault, the main shareholder of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, and his family will donate money "dedicated to the construction of this architectural work, which makes up part of the history of France." He's the world's third-richest person, with a $90.4 billion fortune.
"LVMH Group will put at the disposal of the state all of its teams - creative, architectural, financial - to help on the one hand with the long construction work, and on the other hand with the fundraising effort," the family said in a statement.
Get a daily dose of Detroit Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Detroit Star.
More InformationATLANTA, Georgia: The United States is facing its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades, with 1,288 confirmed cases so...
In the past month alone, 23 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza—three more than the number of remaining living hostages held...
LONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
(Photo credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images) Casey Mize got some big news before his final start prior to the All-Star break. The Detroit...
(Photo credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images) Cal Raleigh blasted his major league-leading 37th and 38th home runs, including a grand...
(Photo credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images) The Golden State Valkyries cap off their four-game road trip at the Las Vegas Aces...
(Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images) New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon was named to the American League All-Star team...
(Photo credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images) If you enjoy racing at NASCAR's snaking road courses, you have come to the right place over...