Matches are truly made in heaven. One such heavenly match was the one between Gary Player and his wife, Vivienne Player. Vivienne was one of the major reasons behind the establishment of her joint philanthropical endeavor with her husband, Gary Player, The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation.

Vivienne’s dynamic role in her husband’s legacy of hope is truly inspirational. Her soul-shattering demise back in 2021 truly shook the golf world to its core. This is an attempt to truly understand who Gary Player’s wife was and to uncover the sweet layers of their beautiful love story. Let’s dive in!

Who was Vivienne Player?

Vivienne Player was Gary Player’s high school sweetheart and partner for over 64 years. Their union was truly a merry one, as is clear from their long, happy marriage and shared professional accomplishments. Her maiden name was Vivienne Verwey. Interestingly, her husband, Gary Player, was not the only famous professional golfer related to Vivienne. Apart from Gary, her brother, Bobby Verwey, was also a very talented professional golfer.

Vivienne Player and Garry Player lived a life full of love. Their work for the betterment of children around the world has gained their love and support from fans globally. The duo themselves shared a total of six children, twenty-two grandchildren, and even two great-grandchildren.

The couple truly saw one another go through all stages of life together. Their love story was truly an unbeatable one. Vivienne was also helpful to Gary in improving his golf game. She would advise Gary on his golf swing. Interestingly, Vivienne Player was the only person in the entire universe that Gary Player would listen to when it came to his swings. Her advice truly must have been unconventional to get the 88-year-old golfing maestro to listen to her feedback on his world-renowned game of golf. Vivienne was truly the epitome of empathy as is apparent from an account of her loved ones in her life.

Vivienne Player had been battling pancreatic cancer for a while. However, her long struggle with the debilitating disease came to an end in 2021. This was not only a moment of shock but also of excruciating pain as the world had to witness the sad demise of Gary Player’s childhood sweetheart. It was truly an unfolding of a hard truth of life when the golf world experienced Gary’s excruciatingly painful loss of a soulmate.

The Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation

Vivienne Player established the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation along with her husband, Gary Player. Their joint attempts to help the children’s cause were initiated more than 30 years ago. The power duo started by helping the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School for disadvantaged children. In the years after their initial aid to the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School for disadvantaged children, Gary Player and Vivienne Players established the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation. Today, their renowned foundation serves thousands of children in both South Africa and the United States of America.

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The foundation provides aid to children from marginalized sections of the society. The foundation works to provide them with opportunities and skills that they require in order to actualize their full potential. from them to grow into well-rounded adults and break the generational curses that have been imposed upon them and their families. This is all possible because of the honorary vision of the South African professional golfer and his supremely talented and empathetic wife, Vivienne Player. Gary Player once talked about their shared vision. He said, “I have spent the better part of my life determined to give back and make a positive impact in the lives of those less fortunate.” What do you think about Gary Player’s late wife, Vivienne Player? Share your views in the comments section below.

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