French billionaires and major companies have pledged to donate at least 600 million euros to help reconstruct the Notre Dame Cathedral after a catastrophic fire tore through the historic structure, collapsing its spire, and causing significant damage.
François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of the international luxury group Kering, which includes Gucci and Saint Laurent, said Monday night that he and his family will donate 100 million euros to the cathedral’s reconstruction.
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. Cosmetics company L’Oreal SA and its principal shareholder, the Bettencourt Meyers family, will give 100 million euros, while the family’s charitable foundation will chip in another 100 million euros, the company said.
