An Israeli shipping billionaire has given 20 million pounds to Britain's national maritime museum in what is thought to be the largest donation to a British cultural body, the museum said Thursday.
Sammy Ofer, 86, made the $40.2 million gift after developing a lifelong passion for Britain while serving in the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean during World War II.
The Romanian-born magnate went on to build up one of the largest container shipping companies in the world. He also owns a one-billion-dollar share in Royal Caribbean, the world's second-largest cruise line.
The money will be used to create a new wing at the museum in Greenwich, southwest London.
"This generous donation … will help to ensure that current and future generations understand better the crucial role played by the sea in our history and the lives of those who depended upon it," said Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Ofer's contribution.
“Our maritime story is Britain’s national story,” said Brown.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy was to visit the Greenwich site Thursday to award British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur the Legion of Honour, France's highest decoration, for her round-the-world sailing exploits.
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