Gillian Salama-Caro was born and raised in London, England. She attended Queen’s College School, historically the first institution in the United Kingdom to grant academic qualifications to women. She went on to study at Leeds University, graduating with honors in Italian and French. While she was in Leeds she met Simon, who was living in Madrid and just visiting his brother. 

Fluent in French, Italian, and Spanish, Gillian pursued a career as an interpreter and translator, reflecting her deep passion for languages. For a number of years she worked at the French Chamber of Commerce in London, assisting French companies to establish themselves in the UK. 

In 1971, Gillian and Simon were married in London at Marble Arch Synagogue, a place of particular significance to her family, as her paternal grandfather, Philip Halperin, had been a founding member.  

Gillian and Simon raised their three children, Paul, Marc, and Emmy, in London. 

In the 1980’s, building on her linguistic and cultural expertise, Gillian was actively involved as a co-founder and director of the Salama-Caro gallery in Cork Street, London, where she worked closely with Simon to conceive and develop exhibitions of American and European contemporary artists.  

In 1997, she relocated to New York City with Simon and their daughter Emmy; their sons, Paul and Marc, joined them several years later with their families. 

With a career spanning more than five decades, she has also played a significant role in advancing and preserving the legacy of the American artist Robert Indiana, as a patron, dealer and publisher involved in many exhibitions in leading museums and galleries. 

In addition to her professional endeavors, Gillian has been deeply committed to philanthropy, supporting a range of organizations and institutions dedicated to the Arts, Jewish life, community initiatives, and Israel. 

Gillian and Simon divide their time between New York City and Quiogue. They are active members of both Congregation Shearith Israel in New York and The Hampton Synagogue, where their involvement has been a meaningful and enriching part of their lives and the lives of their family. As distinguished benefactors and Pillars of our congregation, their generosity to our congregation includes the dedication of the Salama-Caro Children’s Library in Jack’s House and the magnanimous donation of Robert Indiana’s iconic AHAVA sculpture, installed outside the Tuchman Family Mikvah.

Above all, Gillian’s enduring devotion to her family and her commitment to helping others remain at the heart of her life. She is a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren and treasures the time she spends with her family. She also deeply values the many friendships she has cultivated over the years and credits her family’s unwavering love and support as a constant source of strength through both joyful and challenging times.