Sir Richard Branson has announced the death of his wife and lifelong partner, Lady Joan Branson, at the age of 80. The Virgin Group founder shared the news on social media, describing her as “my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.”
A Life Together
The couple first met in 1976 at The Manor, Virgin Records’ live‑in studio, where Branson recalled falling in love “at first sight.” Lady Joan, then working at a nearby bric‑a‑brac shop, was wooed by Branson’s persistence—he bought countless items from her store before they began courting.
They married in 1989 on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, 11 years after meeting. At the time, their children Holly and Sam were eight and four. The pair had been preparing to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in February 2026.
Private Strength Behind a Public Figure
Born Joan Templman in Glasgow in 1948, she grew up in a large family supported by her father, a ship carpenter. Despite her husband’s global profile, Lady Joan remained intensely private, rarely giving interviews. Branson often credited her as the steady force behind his decisions, describing her as “beautiful, witty, down‑to‑earth.”
Family Legacy
Lady Joan was widely recognized as a devoted mother and grandmother. She is survived by her children, Holly and Sam, and three grandchildren: Artie, Etta, and Eva‑Deia. Branson paid tribute to her earlier this year on her 80th birthday, thanking her for being by his side through “the highs, the lows, and all those quiet, content and peaceful moments in between.”
Her passing marks the end of a nearly five‑decade partnership that shaped both Branson’s personal life and his career. For Branson, Lady Joan was not only a partner but the guiding light of his family and the Virgin empire.
Joan Templeman and Sir Richard Branson Picture from blogspot
