Salma Hayek's Husband François-Henri Pinault Pledges $113 Million to Rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral

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 Le Figaro, Pinault, 56, said, “My father (François Pinault) and myself have decided to unblock a sum of 100 million euros from our Artemis funds (the family holding company) to participate in the effort that will be necessary for the complete reconstruction of Notre-Dame.”

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 Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index“.

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.

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris | FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris | 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.

Salma Hayek's Husband François-Henri Pinault Pledges $113 Million to Rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral
Salma Hayek's Husband Pledges $113 Million to Rebuild Notre Dame

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.”