Sir Christopher Ondaatje, a prominent businessman and philanthropist, has passed away. By 1988, Ondaatje had accumulated considerable wealth as a publisher and stockbroker on the Canadian stock exchange. He later recounted on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in 2002 that he decided to retire from business to focus on travel, writing, family, and philanthropy.
Ondaatje became a significant benefactor to British institutions. He provided the majority of the required matching funds for a new wing at the National Portrait Gallery, which opened in May 2000 as the Ondaatje Wing. This project transformed public use of the gallery and increased visitor numbers.
His philanthropic work extended to the Royal Geographical Society, where he funded a new lecture theatre and supported the digitisation of its collections. He also backed an annual prize for the Royal Society of Literature and was, for a time, a joint owner of the Literary Review. Additionally, he was a donor to Tony Blair’s Labour party.
Born in Kandy, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Ondaatje was educated at Blundell’s school in Devon. After working in banking in London, he emigrated to Canada in 1955. He established the stockbrokers Loewen Ondaatje McCutcheon in 1970 and founded the publishing firm Pagurian Press in 1967.
Ondaatje was also an author, with his first book, co-written with Gordon Currie, published in 1967. His later works included travel and exploration narratives, reflecting his interest in figures like Captain Sir Richard Burton. He was made CBE in 2000 and knighted in 2003. He is survived by his wife Valda, three children, his brother Michael, sister Gillian, and 18 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.