Celebrities Around The World Pay Tribute To The Notre Dame Cathedral
Tragedy struck on Monday as the globe watched the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in central Paris
The world came together over social media last night to pay homage to the Notre Dame Cathedral as it was engulfed by smoke and flames on Monday afternoon. Firefighters linked into a human chain to save as many ancient relics and artefacts as they could whilst tourists, residents and onlookers stood in sorrow as the once-towering Gothic Cathedral that stood on the Île de la Cité, next to the Seine, was overcome by an inferno.
The blaze drew responses from celebrities across the globe, each taking to Instagram and Twitter to express their heartache for France.
Former US president, Barack Obama posted a Tweet to express his sorrow, saying, “Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief. It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can.”
Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief. It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can. pic.twitter.com/SpMEvv1BzB
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 15, 2019
In Paris at the time, Michelle Obama followed her husband’s lead and posted a Tweet saying, “The majesty of Notre Dame—the history, artistry, and spirituality—took our breath away, lifting us to a higher understanding of who we are and who we can be. Being here in Paris tonight, my heart aches with the people of France. Yet I know that Notre Dame will soon awe us again”
The majesty of Notre Dame—the history, artistry, and spirituality—took our breath away, lifting us to a higher understanding of who we are and who we can be. Being here in Paris tonight, my heart aches with the people of France. Yet I know that Notre Dame will soon awe us again. https://t.co/p1mIDMbwe1
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) April 15, 2019
Carla Bruni Sarkozy, ex-model and wife of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, shared a picture of the Cathedral in flames stating her sadness, posting, “Tristesse #nowords”
Salma Hayek‘s husband and French billionaire, François-Henri Pinault made a statement to share, “This tragedy strikes all the French and beyond all those who are attached to spiritual values. Faced with such a tragedy, everyone wants to revive this jewel of our heritage as quickly as possible,”
In his speech at a news conference, Pinault, who is also the chairman and CEO of the Kering group, owning Gucci, Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent to name a few, will donate 100 million Euros towards rebuilding Notre-Dame.
Salma posted,
Anne Hathaway, who starred in the French musical drama Les Misérables, winning her a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress also posted a heartfelt Instagram tribute writing, “I know this is an inspired representation of an even greater divinity. I know this blessed place is a human-made interpretation of what is mysterious, unknowable, and undefinable and while seeing her burn brings tears to my eyes, I know even flames cannot diminish her sacredness. Still, not her. Please. Not her. #notredame #ourlady”
Kris Jenner shared an image of the fire on her Instagram. “This is just so devastating,” she wrote. “My heart goes out to Paris. We grieve for you and pray that in time you can rebuild. Thanks to the brave firefighters who have worked so hard, risking their lives, to save the cathedral. #Paris #NotreDame”
On her birthday, Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams Tweeted, “Interrupting my birthday to express how much pain I’m in watching the Notre Dame fire unfold. Such an incredible building. I’m so sad”
Interrupting my birthday to express how much pain I’m in watching the Notre Dame fire unfold. Such an incredible building. I’m so sad
— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) April 15, 2019
Hillary Clinton shared words of unity and strength for France, Tweeting, “My heart goes out to Paris. Notre Dame is a symbol of our ability as human beings to unite for a higher purpose—to build breathtaking spaces for worship that no one person could have built on their own. I wish France strength and shared purpose as they grieve and rebuild.”
My heart goes out to Paris. Notre Dame is a symbol of our ability as human beings to unite for a higher purpose—to build breathtaking spaces for worship that no one person could have built on their own. I wish France strength and shared purpose as they grieve and rebuild.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 15, 2019
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan Tweeted, “Heartbreaking scenes of Notre Dame cathedral in flames. London stands in sorrow with Paris today, and in friendship always.”
Heartbreaking scenes of Notre Dame cathedral in flames. London stands in sorrow with Paris today, and in friendship always.
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) April 15, 2019
Singer Camila Cabello expressed her heartache, tweeting, “my heart is breaking seeing the fire at notre dame. I’ll never forget walking in the first time in Paris and being in awe of the beauty of it.”
my heart is breaking seeing the fire at notre dame. I’ll never forget walking in the first time in Paris and being in awe of the beauty of it.
— camila (@Camila_Cabello) April 15, 2019
Cher Tweeted,
Devastation The Will Never Forget Those with The Spirit Of Cher (@cher) April 15, 2019
Canadian President Justin Trudeau shared his feelings of heartbreak for Paris, Tweeting, “Absolutely heartbreaking to see the Notre-Dame Cathedral in flames. Canadians are thinking of our friends in France as you fight this devastating fire.”
Absolutely heartbreaking to see the Notre-Dame Cathedral in flames. Canadians are thinking of our friends in France as you fight this devastating fire.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 15, 2019
American actress Laura Dern, known for her role in Big Little Lies and the recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award and four Golden Globe awards took to Twitter to say “I’m weeping. Our gift of light. Notre Dame on fire. My heart is breaking. My grandmother’s and mother’s heart home.”
I’m weeping. Our gift of light. Notre Dame on fire. My heart is breaking. My grandmother’s and mother’s heart home.
— Laura Dern (@LauraDern) April 15, 2019
Dua Lipa also took to social media: “So much history collapsing right before our eyes. Heartbroken for Notre-Dame and Paris”
So much history collapsing right before our eyes. Heartbroken for Notre-Dame and Paris https://t.co/wYG6woCtdp
— DUA LIPA (@DUALIPA) April 15, 2019
Creator and producer of medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes tweeted, “This is just devastating. Mes sympathies à Paris.”
This is just devastating. Mes sympathies Paris. https://t.co/f9fG3cJNIj
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) April 15, 2019
Melania Trump voiced her sadness as she tweeted, “My heart breaks for the people of Paris after seeing the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. Praying for everyone’s safety.”
My heart breaks for the people of Paris after seeing the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. Praying for everyone’s safety.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) April 15, 2019