Salma Hayekhas a special connection to the Notre-Dame cathedral.
Hayek, 52, played Esmeralda in 1997’sThe Hunchbackalongside Mandy Patinkin, a full 22 years before a devastating fire took hold of the iconic church as the world watched in horror.
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After news broke, and while the blaze still raged on, Hayek’s husband Pinault pledged €100 million (over US $113 million) to help rebuild the cathedral.
Pinault’s donation is the first major one announced. ThroughKering, an international luxury group, his family owns and controls a number of businesses including Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga.
WATCH: Parisians Sing As Notre Dame Burns in the Distance
Hayek shared an image of theburning 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 weremarried in Parison February 14, 2009, at the City Hall of the Sixth Arrondissement, which is less than a mile away from the historic church.
The blaze erupted around 6:30 p.m. Monday local time and appears to have completely consumed the landmark’s roof. Thebuilding’s towering spire felland portions of the roof have collapsed, according to France 24.
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.”
source: people.com
