Billionaires Lindsay and Paula Fox have donated a massive $100 million to the new National Gallery Victoria building.
Known as one of Victoria’s wealthiest families, the trucking magnate made the donation in honour for his 85th birthday on Tuesday.
Lindsay confessed that his wife Paula suggested the donation to the gallery and he said he could not say no after being married for 62 years.
“She said I want some money for the gallery.. then she told me how much.. but it was too late.. I’d signed the cheque,” he told Nine News.
The eye watering donation is the largest cash donation ever made to an Australian art museum by a living donor.
In return, the building’s name will change to The Fox: NGV Contemporary, in line with his trucking company.
Paula, who sits on the contemporary art gallery’s board said the donation will go a long way.
“We do love the state. And I think it’s lovely to give back,” she said.
Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said the donation was an “extraordinary gift to the people of Victoria.”
“Philanthropy can transform cities and NGV Contemporary will be a true game-changer.”
Construction for the building which will go up at 77 Southbank Boulevard in Southbank, will begin later in the year and is expected to finish in 2028.
It will form part of the $1.7 billion redevelopment of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation which will also see upgrades to the Arts Centre Melbourne and the Arts Centre Melbourne’s new Centre for Creativity.
Image: Getty Images
This article first appeared on OverSixty.