Richard Branson and his wife Joan. Credit: Facebook, Richard Branson.
Sir Richard Branson has announced today, November 25, that his wife, Joan Templeman, has died, sharing an emotional tribute describing her as his “best friend,” “rock,” and “guiding light.”
The Virgin founder confirmed the sad news in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, prompting an outpouring of condolences.
Joan, 80, had been married to Branson since 1989, and the couple were together for more than 50 years.
Branson’s emotional tribute to late wife Joan
In his public announcement, Branson wrote:
“Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away. She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for. She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan x.”
The couple shared three children: Holly, Sam, and their first daughter Clare, who sadly died shortly after birth.
According to People Magazine, Branson described Joan as a “down-to-earth Scottish lady” whom he met in the late 1970s while working at an antiques shop in Notting Hill.
Branson recalled in a 2020 Virgin blog post: “I fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her… I quickly realised she wouldn’t be impressed by my usual antics.”
Despite her husband’s global fame, Joan consistently avoided public attention. Branson wrote in 2016:
“From the beginning Joan was a very private person… she has always been keen to avoid the public eye.”
Branson famously purchased Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands as a romantic gesture for Joan after first meeting her – even though, as he admitted, he could not truly afford it at the time. His first offer was rejected, and then he later bought it for $180,000 (€155,800).
Speaking to Page Six in a previous interview, Branson revealed he once stopped a plane mid-taxi because he “didn’t want to leave Joan behind”, recalling that fellow passengers applauded the dramatic moment.
The couple married on Necker Island in 1989, and both their children later wed there as well. Joan’s support spanned Branson’s decades-long entrepreneurial journey, including founding Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Galactic, and the non-profit Virgin Unite.
Richard, 75, was awarded a knighthood in 1999 for services to entrepreneurship. He is a “proud grand-dude” to five grandchildren – Etta, Artie, Lola, Eva-Deia, and Bluey.
Messages of sympathy are currently pouring in.
RIP Joan.
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