LONDON — Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, shared the heartbreaking news on Tuesday, November 25, that his beloved wife and partner of five decades, Joan Templeman, had passed away at the age of 80.Branson delivered a deeply emotional tribute on social media, emphasizing the profound personal connection that underpinned his public life.
“Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away,” Branson wrote on Instagram. “She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.”
The entrepreneur also highlighted Joan’s dedication to her family, adding: “She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for.” The couple, who shared a foundational and enduring love story, famously wed on Necker Island in the Caribbean in 1989.
The Enduring Love: The Story of Richard Branson and Joan Templeman
The emotional tribute continued as Branson mourned his loss, writing that Joan “was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.” The depth of the loss was underscored by a throwback photo the businessman posted just two days prior to the announcement, captioned simply, “Love this photo of Joan.”
The Origin Story and the Grand Gesture
Branson often reflected on their initial meeting at The Manor, the live-in recording studio built for Virgin Records, where Joan was working at a local antiques store.
“I often make up my mind about someone within 30 seconds of meeting them, and I fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her,” Branson wrote in a 2020 blog post on Virgin.com. He quickly realized the “down-to-earth Scottish lady” would not be impressed by his usual eccentric antics.
The pivotal moment in their relationship became the purchase of their famous private retreat. Branson credits Joan’s influence for his purchase of Necker Island in the Caribbean: “Two years after we had first met, I wanted to show Joan a grand gesture of affection.” Branson called the sight of the island the second time he had experienced “love at first sight.
Family, Legacy, and Necker Island Tradition
The couple married on Necker Island 11 years after purchasing it. They welcomed three children together: Holly Branson (44) and Sam Branson (30). Tragically, their first daughter, Clare Sarah, died at four days old after being born three months premature.
Following in their parents’ footsteps, their children continued the family tradition by also marrying on Necker Island (Holly in 2011 and Sam in 2013), solidifying the island’s role as the emotional heart of the Branson family legacy.
