(ZENIT News / Paris, 03.07.2024).- The five million euro legacy left to the city of Paris by Marie-Amélie Daout on February 20, 1974, has sparked speculation about her motivation and connection to the emblematic church of La Madeleine, as reported byLe Parisien.
Although Daout left no specific indication about the destination of the sum, Parisians were surprised to discover that the humble nonagenarian, who passed away in 2020, wished for the money to be allocated to the restoration of the iconic Parisian church of La Madeleine, a place with which she had an emotional connection.
Neighbors of Daout recount that she and her husband used to meet at the church for lunch when he was not traveling. Her husband, a bodyguard for General de Gaulle, worked at the Élysée (government office), making La Madeleine a significant place in their lives.
Despite their modest life, Daout decided to bequeath this substantial sum to a place that held special meaning for her and her husband. Childless and after living her final days in a nursing home in the Marais, Daout passed away in 2020 after suffering a stroke during the lockdown period of the previous pandemic.
The restoration works of La Madeleine, set to begin in the spring of 2024, will benefit from this generous legacy. Although the main facade has already been renovated, three facades remain to be restored, with a total estimated cost of 20 million euros.
It is still unclear whether the 5.3 million euros bequeathed by Daout will be solely allocated to the church’s restoration, but the Paris City Hall assures that the donor’s wishes will be respected.
The parish priest of La Madeleine, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet, expressed gratitude for Daout’s generous gesture and promised that masses will be held in her honor. This legacy will undoubtedly be remembered as a saintly return on investment.
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