Vivienne Verwey is widely recognized as the wife of the renowned South African retired professional golfer, Gary Player, who is acknowledged as one of the greatest golfers in history. Gary has achieved success by winning nine major championships on the regular tour and an additional nine major championships on the Champions Tour.
Vivienne Verwey’s Family
Vivienne Verwey’s father, Jock Verwey, was a former double champion on the South African PGA Tour. Her brother, Bobby Verwey, is a professional South African golfer who secured victories at the 1962 German Open and the 1965 Almaden Open Invitational on the PGA Tour. Vivienne, however, is more widely recognized as the wife of Gary Player. Their connection began when they met in her teenage years, and Gary proposed to her.
Gary Jim Player, born on November 1, 1935, in Johannesburg, South Africa, is the youngest of Harry and Muriel Player’s three children. Unfortunately, Gary lost his mother to cancer when he was eight years old. Despite his father’s frequent absences due to work in the gold mines, he managed to secure a loan to purchase a set of golf clubs for Gary to start playing golf. Gary turned professional at 17 and married his childhood sweetheart, Vivienne, on January 19, 1957, four years after beginning his professional golf career.
Vivienne and Gary celebrated 64 years of marriage and welcomed six children into their family: Jennifer, Marc, Wayne, Michele, Theresa, and Amanda. Their family extended to include 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In June 2020, Vivienne received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and underwent treatment in Santa Barbara, California. After displaying remarkable strength throughout a prolonged and courageous battle, Vivienne passed away on August 18, 2021.
Vivienne Verwey’s Net Worth
Vivienne Verwey gained celebrity status as the wife of the renowned South African golfer, Gary Player. While she had a notable athletic background, particularly excelling in backstroke swimming during her youth, she dedicated herself to being a full-time homemaker to support her husband’s career and create a nurturing environment for their children.
Gary Player, her husband, is widely recognized as one of the greatest professional golfers in the post-World War II era. With a remarkable career, he achieved 163 professional golf tournament victories. He earned a “career Grand Slam,” making him the only non-American to win all four majors in a career at the 1965 U.S. Open. His golfing accomplishments include being the third golfer in the world to achieve the Career Grand Slam.
In addition to his golfing prowess, Gary Player received the prestigious Bob Jones Award in 1966, the highest honor bestowed by the United States Golf Association for distinguished sportsmanship in golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Gary has also made a significant impact as a golf course architect, contributing to over 400 design projects on five continents. According to Celebrity Net Worth, his financial success is reflected in an estimated net worth of $250 million. In 2021, President Donald Trump honored Gary Player with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His enduring legacy encompasses his multifaceted contributions to the world of golf and beyond.