France, rain of criticism over billionaires' donations to Notre Dame. Arnault: it saddens me

In France, the influx of donations for the reconstruction of Notre-Dame after the great fire last April 15 is taking on highly controversial contours. At the moment, announcements of handouts have far exceeded 1 billion euros, but many French people are criticizing the readiness of several billionaires to donate huge sums in a very short time (among others, the Pinault family with 100 million euros, the Bettencourt family with 200 million, and the Arnault family with 200 million). There are those who accuse big donors of opportunism (publicity and marketing strategy, or a way to save on taxes), those who urge billionaires to also look at social emergencies, and those who estimate that the figures have already exceeded real needs.

Among the big donors, Bernard Arnault, one of France’s wealthiest businessmen, came forward to respond to the criticism, and he did not mince his words: “It saddens me to be criticized for making a donation,” he said at a meeting with shareholders of LVMH, one of the world’s most important luxury clothing companies (it controls the Louis Vuitton brand). “It is a false controversy, and it is frustrating to see that in France people are criticized even when they do something in the interest of everyone,” Arnault continued, adding that “in certain countries people, on the contrary, would be happy” for donations such as the one he granted to reconstruction. Finally, Arnault wanted to mention that all donations from LVMH and his family will not benefit from tax reductions.

Pictured is Notre Dame during the fire. Ph. Credit

France, rain of criticism over billionaires' donations to Notre Dame. Arnault: it saddens me

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