her ventures, building a multigenerational empire. Her eldest son, Tony, convinced her to purchase the Clevelander, a small Ocean Drive hotel that would later become an iconic Miami hotspot, helping to spark the rebirth of South Beach as a global destination for nightlife and entertainment. She also discovered The Leonard Hotel in the southern part of Ocean Drive in what is now the ritzy part of South Beach and bought that too.
Later, Virginia steered all three of her children into buying along the Miami River. Their extensive Miami River property portfolio has added significantly to the family fortune, and the area is now considered one of the hottest spots in Miami, undergoing a major rebirth.
When it comes to real estate, Virginia likes to buy and never sell. She believes that once it is hers, it’s hers—a philosophy that has served her well. Her words of wisdom are to buy when there is “blood running in the streets.”
A quick flashback to a day trip Virginia took with her husband to Palm Beach. They were driving along Ocean Boulevard and saw a huge vacant mansion just begging to be taken care of. This was what we all know today as Mar a Lago, thanks to Trump who may not have owned it if Virginia had made an offer. She decided to pass on what she thought was a good buy because she didn’t want to leave South Beach.
Today, Virginia’s children and grandchildren continue her legacy, learning from the sharp business acumen and resilience that have defined her life. They speak of her with deep admiration, describing a woman who has always balanced fierce independence with an unbreakable family bond.
Tony Kay, her eldest son, reflects, “A self-made woman,
my mother has achieved success in every endeavor through hard work and remarkable business acumen. But more importantly, she has always done things the right way. She's lifted countless women along the way. My mom is the kindest, most wonderful person I've ever known. She has always been my best friend.”
Kent Kay, her younger son, adds, “My mom has always