Sir Richard Branson today announced the death of Joan, his beloved wife of 50 years

Sir Richard Branson has revealed the devastating loss of Lady Joan, his cherished wife and life partner of five decades.

In a post earlier this month, the Virgin tycoon posted a photograph, showing him kissing his wife’s head

Announcing her death at age 80 in an emotional message shared to social media on Tuesday, the Virgin founder 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 on their wedding day on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands

Long regarded as the billionaire’s “anchor” and source of clarity, Lady Joan had always stayed out of the spotlight — a private but deeply influential presence behind one of the world’s most recognisable entrepreneurs.

Just last month, Branson shared a tender photograph of himself kissing her on the head, captioned with the words: “Everyone needs a Joan in their life.”

The earliest picture of Richard and Joan. Lady Joan, who shares two children with Sir Richard, has long been credited as the billionaire’s ‘rock’

Lady Joan had appeared to be in strong spirits when she celebrated her 80th birthday this summer. At the time, Branson posted a heartfelt tribute, thanking her for standing beside him through “the highs, the lows, and all the quiet, peaceful moments in between.”

Sir Richard shared this photo of Lady Joan on his social media accounts to announce his wife’s death

The couple had been eagerly anticipating their 50th wedding anniversary on February 7 — only months away.

Lady Joan and Sir Richard pictured at the Boodles Boxing Ball in 2013

They first met in 1976 at The Manor, Virgin Records’ residential recording studio, where Branson says he fell in love “at first sight.” Joan, then working in a bric-a-brac shop in Westbourne Grove, quickly captured his attention with her warmth, wit and unshakeable authenticity.

In a 2015 birthday blog celebrating her 70th, he recalled persistently visiting the shop and buying endless trinkets just to spend time near her — a story he later joked left his houseboat overwhelmed with vintage signs and memorabilia.

Lady Joan was thought to be in good health when she celebrated her 80th birthday this summer

“Behind every man there’s a great woman — and Joan is the greatest woman of all,” he wrote.

Their relationship would go on to span more than four decades, producing two children, Holly and Sam, and five grandchildren: Etta, Artie, Lola, Eva-Deia and Bluey Rafe Richard.

Sir Richard pictured with Lady Joan and their daughter Holly in 2003

Born Joan Templman in Glasgow in 1945, she came from modest beginnings, raised alongside six siblings by a ship-carpenter father. Her quiet strength steadily became the backbone of Branson’s life, even influencing some of his most important decisions — including purchasing the now-famous Necker Island.

The couple pictured in 1996 during a charity dinner at Harrods

In 2016, Branson revealed that he originally attempted to buy the island purely to impress Joan. Offered a free visit to the tropical retreat in the late 1970s, he convinced the agent to allow him to bring her along — despite having no real ability to meet the asking price. Still, his persistence paid off: after returning a year later with a much lower offer, the purchase was accepted.

Sir Richard and Lady Joan pictured at the engagement party of Holly Branson to Fred Andrews in 2011

The pair eventually married on Necker Island in 1989, when their children were eight and four.

Over the years, Lady Joan remained staunchly private, rarely giving interviews. Yet her presence was unmistakable — praised repeatedly as an extraordinary mother, the “perfect” grandmother, and Branson’s unshakable confidante.

The couple pictured in 1991. Their relationship spanned more than four decades

The proud parents pictured with Holly. The pair were wed in 1989 when their two children, Holly and Sam, were eight and four

In 2016, Sir Richard revealed how he only bought Necker Island in a bid to impress Joan

The couple share a kiss as Sir Richard is honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018

She was described as the ‘most amazing mother’ to her children as well as the ‘perfect grandmother’ to her five grandchildren, Etta, Artie, Lola, Eva-Deia and Bluey Rafe Richard

Lady Joan pictured on holiday with daughter Holly

In a 2020 anniversary message, he wrote:
“Far beyond record titles, I owe a lot to Joan… she has always been a steady source of wisdom and has played no small part in some of my better life decisions.”

The pair pictured on their wedding day in 1989 with their children, Holly and Sam

The couple pictured in 2024. In 2020, Sir Richard said: ‘Joan has always been a steady source of wisdom and has played no small part in some of my better life decisions’

Photographs shared today show decades of memories: early snapshots of the young couple, family celebrations, charity events, and moments of quiet affection — each now taking on new, heartbreaking significance.

As tributes pour in, Branson’s message stands as a deeply personal farewell to the woman he built his world around.