Oppenheimer’s wife dies, aged 50

JENNIFER Ward Oppenheimer‚ wife of South Africa’s billionaire mining scion Jonathan Oppenheimer‚ has died at the age of 50.

An obituary notice by the family was published in newspapers yesterday, which said the mother of three died peacefully at their London home. She is believed to have suffered a brain tumour.

Ward Oppenheimer‚ a Harvard-trained lawyer and Fulbright Scholar‚ was well-known for her African philanthropic efforts.

She was a joint founder of the Brenthurst Foundation‚ which brings together the world’s leading thinkers and practitioners to promote the continent’s economic growth and development.

She was also involved in supporting the Centre for African Studies at her alma mater‚ Harvard University‚ from which she had graduated magna cum laude.

A private funeral service will be held in the UK tomorrow, with details of a South African memorial service to be released later.

“Jennifer was a vibrant force for good and, as a former chairwoman of the De Beers Fund‚ she touched the lives of thousands of people,” a statement from De Beers said.

“The hearts of everyone are with her husband Jonathan and their children Samuel‚ Isabel and Nathaniel.”