A quiet benefactor to Bermuda who had an untold influence on the island alongside her philanthropist late husband has been remembered for “the impact she has made in improving life in Bermuda” by the Bermuda Foundation.

The community foundation, which manages donations for priority causes on the island, gave its condolences to “the Gray family on the loss of their matriarch, Gillian Gray”.

It added: “Gill and her late husband Allan were deeply and genuinely engaged in philanthropy, in its purest sense.

“They never sought acclaim for their remarkable generosity and kept their focus on improving life for all — in Bermuda and in their native South Africa.”

Ms Gray and her husband moved to Bermuda in 1997, six years after Mr Gray’s global company, Orbis Investment Management, relocated its headquarters to the island.

Mr Gray, who died in November 2019, was a self-made billionaire and one of Africa’s richest men. The couple, who created Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies Ltd, donated heavily to causes in Bermuda, including education.

The Bermuda Foundation said: “Backed by a phenomenally successful business, they determined to share that success with their communities.

“We have been inspired by Gill’s thoughtfulness and consideration for our community’s wellbeing.

“Great work has been undertaken thanks to the Allan and Gillian Gray Foundation.

“Gill leaves an inspiring legacy. Through her family, she leaves a group of people who are also known for their generosity and community-mindedness.”

In Parliament yesterday, a tribute by Scott Pearman of the One Bermuda Alliance was associated with the entire House of Assembly.

Mr Pearman said: “She was the widow and wife of Allan Gray who brought Orbis to these shores — a business that has done untold good for our island and employed a high degree of Bermudian people.

“More than that, of course, she was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Condolences to her sons Trevor and Will, and her daughter Jenny.”

Mr Pearman recalled spending a lunch with the couple a decade ago and added: “They were truly remarkable people considering the success Orbis had seen — so down-to-earth and so loving of our island, and grateful for the opportunity to have had their businesses flourish here in Bermuda.”

The couple founded their charitable trust in 1979, and the Allan & Gill Gray Foundation backed education in particular.

The Grays were also avid bridge players, and the Bermuda Bridge Club joined condolences yesterday.

Club member David Ezekiel said: “Gill was a longstanding member of the club, although she had not played bridge in recent times due to ill health.”

He said the couple were “huge friends and substantial supporters of Bermuda bridge”.

Mr Ezekiel said that their “generous seven-figure Orbis donation” made it possible for the island to host the 2000 Bermuda Bowl.

He added: “The remaining funds after the event have been well used to fund bridge education in Bermuda for many years.

“Gill was a gracious and charming lady who was a regular afternoon player in her day, and we send our sincere condolences to the Gray family and friends.”