The reason many were left stunned by the passing of Lady Joan, Sir Richard Branson’s wife: Just months ago, she was still in good health, celebrating her 80th birthday with her husband.

Sir Richard Branson has confirmed the heartbreaking death of his wife, Lady Joan Branson — a loss that has stunned not only his family but also those who followed their remarkable five-decade love story. What makes her passing even more shocking is that Joan appeared to be in strong health just months earlier when the family celebrated her 80th birthday. Friends and longtime associates described her summer as “full of energy, laughter, and her usual calm presence,” which makes the suddenness of her death feel even more devastating.

Announcing the news on social media, the Virgin founder said he was “heartbroken” to share that Joan had passed away at the age of 80. He honoured her as “the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for,” adding that she had always been his “best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.”

Only weeks ago, Sir Richard posted a tender photograph of himself kissing Joan’s head with the caption: “Everyone needs a Joan in their life.” The couple had been looking forward to celebrating their 50th anniversary on February 7 — a milestone they had spoken about with deep joy and pride.

Lady Joan, often described as the billionaire’s anchor and quiet source of wisdom, was believed to be in good health during the summer celebrations. Those close to the family have said her vibrance made her passing feel “unthinkable,” adding to the emotional weight of the moment for Sir Richard and their children.

Police have now stated that there is nothing suspicious about Lady Joan’s passing. Officers confirmed that “all factors were thoroughly reviewed,” and that the circumstances surrounding her death were consistent with natural causes. The official clarification has brought some comfort to the family, though the shock remains overwhelming given how vibrant she seemed over the summer.

Their love story began in 1976 at The Manor, Virgin Records’ iconic studio, where Sir Richard said he “fell in love almost instantly” with the “beautiful, witty, down-to-earth Scottish girl” who didn’t tolerate foolishness. After discovering she worked in a nearby bric-a-brac shop, he joked that he practically “bought half the shop” just for a chance to speak to her.

Over the years, Sir Richard frequently credited Joan with shaping not only his personal life but also many of his biggest decisions. “Far beyond record titles, I owe a lot to Joan,” he wrote in a past anniversary tribute. “She has always been my steady source of wisdom.”

The couple married in 1989 on Necker Island, after Sir Richard famously tried to buy the island simply to impress her — offering $100,000 for a property priced at $6 million, a story he later shared with humour and affection. Their children, Holly and Sam, then eight and four, stood beside them as they exchanged vows on the island they would call home for decades.

Born Joan Templman in Glasgow in 1948, she grew up in a working-class family of seven siblings and always preferred a low-profile life despite her husband’s global fame. She was widely praised as a devoted mother and “the perfect grandmother” to Artie, Etta, Eva-Deia and Bluey.

Now, as tributes pour in, many note that her death feels particularly heartbreaking because it comes so unexpectedly — from a woman who, only months before, seemed to embody the same warmth, strength, and serenity that defined her role in the Branson family for nearly half a century.