Fashion giants pledge hundreds of millions for Notre Dame, Putin also offers aid

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault (56) has pledged to donate as much as 100 million euros for the restoration of the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was scorched in yesterday's fire.

Shaken by the fiery disaster and the damage to one of the key symbols of the French nation, he stated that he would donate the money as soon as French President Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of a fundraising campaign for the cathedral's restoration.

Francois-Henri Pinault, husband of actress Salma Hayek, is the CEO of the Kering group, which owns luxury brands Gucci and Saint Laurent, and is also the chairman of the Artemis holding company, which owns Christie's auction house, CNN Business reports.

Francois-Henri Pinault said that the major fire at Notre Dame Cathedral is a tragedy that has affected all of France.

The French group LVMH and the Arnault family announced today that they are donating 200 million euros to the fund for the restoration of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

"The Arnault family and the LVMH group... are joining the reconstruction of this exceptional cathedral, a symbol of France, its heritage, and its unity," stated the fashion giant LVMH and the Arnault family in a press release.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, following the tragedy caused by the fire at Notre Dame in Paris, offered the assistance of "the best Russian experts" for the cathedral's restoration.