VALE – Sir Christopher Ondaatje, 93
BREAKING NEWS:
Sir Christopher Ondaatje, 93, no more!
It is with profound sadness that we learn of the passing of Sir Christopher Ondaatje in the Bahamas. Sir Christopher Ondaatje passed away on the morning of July 20, 2026, at the age of 93.
Broker, publisher, Nile explorer, Olympic athlete and arts philanthropist. Born in Sri Lanka in 1933, he moved to England for schooling before emigrating to Canada in 1956. His death was met with widespread mourning across the arts, sports, and philanthropic communities. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as a financier, Olympic athlete, author, explorer, and a highly generous patron of the arts.
Immediate Family
Sir Christopher Ondaatje was deeply devoted to his family, sharing a marriage of over 67 years and raising three children. He married Valda Bulins, who is of Latvian descent, in 1959. He often spoke of her as his anchor, noting that she accompanied him on several of his gruelling expeditions and that they were entirely devoted to each other.
Children: The couple had three children:
David Ondaatje: A Hollywood screenwriter and film director, known for directing the 2009 film “The Lodger”.
Sarah (Seira) Ondaatje: His eldest daughter.
Jans Ondaatje: His youngest daughter, who is an author.
Parents and Famous Siblings:
He was born to Philip Mervyn Ondaatje and Enid Doris Gratiaen. His father was a wealthy plantation owner in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) whose battles with alcoholism eventually cost the family their fortune.
Michael Ondaatje: His younger brother is the highly celebrated, Booker Prize-winning novelist who wrote The English Patient.
Gillian Ondaatje: His sister, who also survived the family’s turbulent relocation from Sri Lanka.
Life and Career
Business & Finance: Built a massive fortune starting from just £10 by working his way up in the Canadian stock market and publishing.
Athletics: Competed for Canada in the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck as a bobsledder.
Exploration & Writing: Authored several adventure and biographical books, including travels retracing the source of the Nile.
Philanthropy and Legacy
Major Donations: Endowed major cultural spaces including the Ondaatje Wing at the National Portrait Gallery in London and galleries at the Royal Ontario Museum.
Honors: Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and knighted in 2003 for his extensive services to philanthropy.
May his precious soul Rest In Eternal Peace!
— with Arch Perera and 6 others
