Mass media company Walt Disney, has chipped in a sum of $5 million dollars to aid the reconstruction of French famous landmark Notre Dame. Disney’s donation comes in few days after a gallery of French billionaires owning notable houses in film and fashion donated huge amounts in support of the Notre Dame reconstruction.
Disney, per their slew of movies shot in the past years has a connection with the landmark since the roof destroyed by fire cathedral was the setting of their 1996 animated musical ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ based on Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel of the same year. The film gained an Oscar nomination followed by a box office shattering amount of $315 million worldwide.
Donating in support of the historical site, Disney CEO Bob Iger, said, “Notre Dame is a beacon of hope and beauty that has defined the heart of Paris and the soul of France for centuries, inspiring awe and reverence for its art and architecture and for its enduring place in human history. The Walt Disney Company stands with our friends and neighbors in the community, offering our heartfelt support as well as a $5 million donation for the restoration of this irreplaceable masterpiece.”
In line with Disney on Notre Dame reconstruction are: Francois-Henri Pinault, head of Gucci and Saint Laurent parent company Kering, donating $133 million and Bernard Arnault, head of Louis Vuitton and Dior parent company LVMH, also donating $226 million. The Bettencourt family, heirs of makeup brand L’Oréal, has also donated 200 million euros for the Disney restoration through their Bettencourt Schueller Foundation. Unannounced companies have also pledged some amounts in support of the pending project tallying the total fee gained at $734 million (650 million euros) so far.
The reconstruction of the site is said to take a minimum of five years to reconstruct as pledged by French President Emmanuel Marcon. However, some experts are of the opinion that the work might take decades to complete.
Notre Dame was set on fire on Monday, April 15, with half of its roofing destroyed. The cause of the fire is currently not known, but then authorities are undergoing investigations to find out its cause.
