Gary’s wisdom on sharing love, laughing louder, moving more and eating less has put us all back in our place, but in the best way.
Sun City, South Africa (04 November 2025) – South African icon, golfing legend and international philanthropist Gary Player celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday.
You might know him as one of the greatest golf players in the history of the sport. He’s won nine major championships on the regular tour and nine on the senior tour, making him one of only five golfers to achieve a Career Grand Slam.
But beyond his playing career, he’s also big on giving back. Gary and his late wife Vivienne have raised millions for underprivileged children’s education and healthcare around the world.
He’s an absolute force for charity and change.
His birthday bash coincided with one of the foundation’s biggest charity golfing events, The Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational, which invites sports stars and celebrities from around the world to celebrate and extend the impact that he has championed for so many decades of his life.
The party was a hoot.
Irish supergroup Boyzlife performed. There was confetti, and good company. Strong tributes poured in on social media from those who couldn’t be there in person. And Gary looked as dashing as ever, cutting into his 90th birthday cake.
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“It’s hard to find words for what last night meant. To celebrate 90 years of life at Sun City’s iconic Super Bowl – among friends, family, and so many who have shared this incredible journey – is deeply humbling. I’m grateful beyond measure for every person who has been part of this story,” shared Gary.
But what we loved the most was a video that Gary appeared in, a day before he reached his 90th.
Mr Player was asked for his tips to live a long and healthy life. His answer had no frills. In fact, he gently put us all in our place.
His secret ingredients are love, laughter, doing good, exercise, and eating less.
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His recent words on kindness also stick.
“The first, most important act we as human beings are called to do, is to be kind to one another. That’s because it’s within everybody’s ability – rich or poor. Talented or not. Intelligent or not. Everybody has the ability to be kind. It takes nothing to be kind to somebody, and it means everything to be kind to somebody.”
Here’s to celebrating the life of a living legend who, in 90 years, has given us so much to aspire to.
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