Sir Richard Branson is mourning the death of his wife, Joan Branson (née Templeman). The billionaire co-founder of the Virgin Group announced her passing on November 25, 2025, through a statement on his Instagram account.
“I am heartbroken to announce that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has died,” Richard wrote. “She was the most wonderful mother and grandmother our children and grandchildren could have ever hoped for. She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. I will love you forever, Joan x.”
This article explores the life of Richard’s late wife, their marriage, and her legacy.
Overview of Richard Branson
Richard Branson is a British entrepreneur and the co-founder of the Virgin Group. As of 2025, he oversees several companies and has an estimated net worth of $2.8 billion, according to Forbes.
Branson embarked on his entrepreneurial journey as a teenager, launching Student magazine at the age of 16, followed by a mail-order record business in 1970. He subsequently established a chain of stores known as Virgin Records, which gained immense popularity in the 1980s, allowing him to launch Virgin Atlantic and expand the Virgin Records music label.
Richard Branson’s Marital History
Richard Branson has been married twice. His first marriage was to Kristen Tomassi from 1972 to 1979. He later met Joan in 1976.
Meeting Joan Branson
Richard has often recounted the story of how he met Joan. He first saw her at a bric-a-brac shop in Westbourne Grove, London, near the Virgin Records studio. At that time, Joan was still married to her former husband, Ronnie Leahy.
After they began dating, Richard set a goal to impress Joan by purchasing an island in the British Virgin Islands. He acquired the land, originally listed for $6 million, for just $180,000, renaming it Necker Island. The couple made it their home after their marriage in 1989.
In a heartfelt Instagram post following Joan’s passing, Richard reflected on the 50 years they spent together.
“Life will never be the same without her. However, we have fifty incredible years of memories filled with both tears and laughter, kindness, and a love that has shaped our family beyond what words can express,” he wrote. “We had a relationship that worked, filled with laughter. We were very fortunate.”
Children of Richard and Joan Branson
Richard and Joan had two children together, Holly and Sam.
Richard expressed the profound impact of Joan’s death on him and their children. “We are devastated, but I am immensely grateful for the extraordinary life we shared, along with our remarkable kids, Sam and Holly, and our wonderful grandchildren, who loved her (and her sweets!) just as deeply as I did,” he shared in a detailed Instagram post in November 2025.
Circumstances Surrounding Joan Branson’s Death
Richard did not disclose the cause of Joan’s death. She was 80 years old at the time of her passing.
Describing her as his “everything” and a “shining star around which our family’s universe has always revolved,” Richard promised in his November 2025 post that Joan’s “light is not extinguished; it has simply taken on a new form. It will guide us forward, and we will carry her with us, always.”
