CEO of Kering & Donor of $113 Million for the Reconstruction of Notre Dame Visits the Cathedral with his Wife, Salma Hayek

On December 7, 2024, Notre Dame Cathedral reopened its doors, marking the completion of a $600 million restoration following the devastating fire of 2019. Among the distinguished guests at the ceremony were actress Salma Hayek and her husband, François-Henri Pinault, whose contributions played a vital role in the landmark’s revival.

Pinault, the CEO of the luxury conglomerate Kering and one of France’s wealthiest figures donated over $113 million toward the reconstruction through his family’s holding company, Artemis. This significant contribution, alongside donations from other prominent French families, proved crucial to the cathedral’s restoration.

In 2019, reflecting on the tragedy of the fire, Hayek expressed her sorrow, saying she was deeply saddened to see Notre-Dame engulfed in smoke and shared her love for Paris.

The reopening ceremony welcomed over 1,500 attendees, including 50 world leaders and notable cultural figures. Guests such as President-elect Donald Trump, First Lady Jill Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined in celebrating the cathedral’s revival as a symbol of resilience and global unity.

Hayek and Pinault, who married in 2009, are celebrated for their philanthropic efforts. The couple, known as one of France’s most prominent power pairs, attended the event in their signature style, representing both their philanthropic legacy and Pinault’s leadership of Kering, the company behind luxury brands like Gucci and Saint Laurent.

The couple, who met at a gala in Venice in 2006, share a life of glamour and altruism, raising their 17-year-old daughter, Valentina Paloma.

Rev. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, the rector of Notre Dame, highlighted the occasion’s profound significance, describing the cathedral as a symbol of unity and hope. He noted that what once seemed an impossible feat had now become a reality.

As the iconic bourdon bell Emmanuel tolled, signaling the start of a new chapter for Notre Dame, the collective efforts of individuals like Pinault stood as a testament to the enduring power of global cooperation in preserving cultural treasures.

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