Madonna pledges $500,000 for quake victims

Pop star’s paternal grandparents came from Italian town south of epicenter

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updated 2:43 p.m. ET April 8, 2009

PACENTRO, Italy - Madonna is coming to the aid of earthquake victims in central Italy, with one Italian mayor saying the pop singer has promised $500,000.

Spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg says Madonna has pledged a “substantial amount,” but didn’t disclose the exact figure.

Madonna’s paternal grandparents came from Pacentro, which is 60 miles south of L’Aquila, the epicenter of Monday’s quake.

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At least 260 people have died in the devastating disaster. It was the worst quake to hit Italy in three decades.