Sir Richard Branson announced Tuesday that his wife of 50 years, Joan Templeman, had died at 80. “Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away,” Branson wrote on Instagram. “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.”
No cause of death was disclosed in the initial announcement.
A Love Story Spanning Decades
Branson first laid eyes on Templeman in 1976, when she was working at a bric-a-brac shop near what was then the recording studio for Virgin Records in London. “I fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her,” he reflected in a 2020 blog post — calling her “a down-to-earth Scottish lady” who “wouldn’t be impressed by my usual antics.”
At the time, both were married to others and in different lives — but Branson was smitten. He recalled lingering outside her shop until he mustered enough courage to walk in, then purchased one antique after another. “Over the next few weeks, my visits to Joan amassed me an impressive collection of old hand-painted tin signs,” he wrote, a playful testament to early romance.
Two years after they met, Branson made a bold gesture. He enquired about an island for sale in the British Virgin Islands — not as a business move, but as a tribute to Templeman. Despite his modest funds at the time, he persisted. A year later, with fortunes improving, the island — now known as Necker Island — was purchased for $180,000.
The couple married there in 1989, sealing a lifelong bond far removed from the glitz usually associated with Branson’s public ventures. Their children, Holly Branson and Sam Branson, later wed on Necker Island as well — making it a true family sanctuary.
The Private Anchor Behind a Public Life
Templeman was the private anchor in Branson’s life, choosing discretion and family over the spotlight while the Virgin empire expanded globally. Though Branson became synonymous with daring ventures like airlines, space tourism, and record labels, Templeman’s consistent presence and preference for normalcy shaped his trajectory.
Branson often credited her with being his grounding force. On their 44th anniversary of meeting, he wrote that Templeman had “always been a steady source of wisdom and has played no small part in some of my better life decisions.”
Their life together was not without sorrow: the couple’s first daughter, Clare Sarah Branson, died just days after birth in 1979. But Templeman’s resilience and quiet strength helped the family endure.
Beyond motherhood and family, Templeman was a committed philanthropist. She and Branson were signatories to the Giving Pledge — a vow to donate the majority of their wealth. The pledge’s spirit echoed their belief that “family, friends, good health and the satisfaction that comes from making a positive difference are what really matter.”
Final Years and Legacy
In recent social media posts, Branson shared tender photos of himself and Templeman, captioning them with phrases like “Everyone needs a Joan in their life” and “Love this photo of Joan.”
As word of her passing reverberated across the globe, their son Sam paid tribute, calling his mother “the kindest, most loving, warm and abundantly generous woman to walk this Earth.” He said he felt privileged to be able to call her “mum.”
Branson’s grief-stricken statement echoed the loss not just of a spouse but of a quiet partner whose influence, though seldom public, helped shape the man behind one of the world’s most recognisable business empires.
In a world of high-stakes, headline-grabbing ventures and sky-high ambitions, Templeman remained a grounding light — steadfast, humble and devoted. Her passing at 80 marks the close of a chapter in the life of a billionaire: not defined by ventures or valuations, but by love, family, loyalty and quiet kindness.
