Disney pledges 5 million USD for rebuilding of Notre-Dame Cathedral

The Walt Disney Company announced Wednesday that it will donate 5 million U.S. dollars to help rebuild the fire-ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

In this Saturday June 5, 1999 file photo, a girl dressed as Esmeralda carries a dummy of the character Quasimodo as people go into the new concert hall at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, Germany, before the world premiere of the musical "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" later in the evening. The musical is a co-production of the U.S. American Disney company and the German musical company Stella. [File photo: AP/Jan Bauer]

"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," said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Company, in a statement.

"The Walt Disney Company stands with our friends and neighbors in the community, offering our heartfelt support as well as a 5 million dollars donation for the restoration of this irreplaceable masterpiece," he announced.

Notre Dame is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture which receives about 12 million visitors every year. The 850-year-old historic landmark was severely damaged by a devastating fire on Monday.

French President, Emmanuel Macron, vowed to rebuild the cathedral after the inferno. In two days following the devastating blaze, nearly a billion dollars have been reportedly pledged by donors from across the world, including some major companies.