Sir Richard Branson’s wife Joan dies aged 80

Sir Richard Branson is mourning the death of his wife of 50 years, Lady Joan Branson.

Sharing the news on social media, Branson wrote that he was heartbroken. He described Joan as “my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world” and praised her as an extraordinary mother and grandmother.

Joan Templeman, known for her privacy, remained largely out of the public eye while Branson built the Virgin empire. Just last week, he shared a tender photo of himself kissing her head, captioned: “Everyone needs a Joan in their life.”

Branson met Joan in West London during the 1970s when she worked in a small shop. He often recounted how he visited the store repeatedly, just to see her, and how he fell in love almost immediately with the grounded Scottish woman.

The couple married in 1989 on Necker Island, a Caribbean island Branson had purchased early in their relationship. They had three children: Holly, Sam, and Clare Sarah, who tragically passed away shortly after birth.

Despite decades beside one of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs, Joan maintained her privacy. She rarely gave interviews, speaking publicly only once in 2016 for a documentary on Branson’s ballooning adventures.

Lady Joan celebrated her 80th birthday this past summer in good health. Branson reflected on their shared life, cherishing quiet and meaningful moments. Her passing marks the end of a five-decade partnership defined by love, resilience, and unwavering support.