Vivienne Player, the wife of South Africa’s greatest ever sportsman, Gary Player, has died. Mrs Player passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Gary Player married Vivienne Verwey (sister of former South African professional golfer Bobby Verwey) on 19 January 1957, four years after turning professional.

The couple were married for 64 years.

“It is with a heavy heart that we learned that one of golf’s biggest patrons, Vivienne Player, lost her long and brave battle with cancer. Our sincere condolences goes out to her husband Gary, their children and grandchildren, family and friends,” GolfRSA wrote on twitter.

Together they have six children: Jennifer, Marc, Wayne, Michele, Theresa and Amanda.

Gary Player, who won nine Majors on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, will turn 86 on 1 November.

Vivienne was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June last year, and had been making progress in her recovery.

In August last year, Player gave an update on Vivienne’s condition: “After 63 years of marriage, Vivienne and I have been through it all. Her cancer diagnosis was shocking, but thankfully her results at Issels Medical Center have been incredible. Her recovery isn’t over, but she’s well on her way. Thank you to everyone who has shown support,” he wrote on Twitter.

Childhood sweethearts, Player first asked Vivienne to marry him when he was 15.

Player has often attributed much of his success on the course – he was won 167 tournaments worldwide including nine majors – to the support he received from his wife.

Together the couple had six children – Jennifer, Marc, Wayne, Michele, Theresa, and Amanda. They have 22 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

During the early part of Player’s career, he would travel to tournaments with Vivienne their six children, a nanny and a tutor.

Player’s brother, Ian Player died in 2014. Ian was a South African environmental activist and conservationist who played a key role in saving the white rhino from extinction.

Player is South Africa’s most successful sportsman ever, and was known as a pioneer of physical fitness training routines for professional golfers. He is known as Mr Fitness, as well as the Black Knight. –