The Walt Disney Company announced Wednesday that it is donating $5 million to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The cathedral was severely damaged after a fire broke out on the roof in the early evening hours on Monday, April 15. Investigators say that the fire was accidental and possibly linked to ongoing renovations at the church.
Walt Disney Chairman and CEO Robert Iger issued the following statement on the donation:
“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.”
Walt Disney Pictures released an animated film based on Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in 1996.
Nearly $1 billion in donations have been made to help rebuild the cathedral.
