a person who wields power and influence unofficially or behind the scenes
Word origin
C19: literally: grey eminence, originally applied to Père Joseph (François Le Clercdu Tremblay; died 1638), French monk, secretary of Cardinal Richelieu
Examples of 'grey eminence' in a sentence
grey eminence
His shift from grey eminence to power broker began a week ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There was more meat in the young grey eminence than his critics have allowed.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There were no review groups headed by grey eminences.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Not old enough to be grey eminences, they have settled into literary careers that touch on almost every corner of publishing.
The Times Literary Supplement (2018)
The advance of democracy was supposed to do away with grey eminences and courtly cabals by requiring that governments be elected by the people.