Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson has paid tribute to his late wife Joan Templeman on what would have been her 81st birthday, just months after her passing. The entrepreneur took to Instagram on Monday to share an old photo of Ms Templeman dancing in her youth, with the caption: “Today would have been Joan’s 81st birthday. Keep dancing in the stars. We love you.” The post, also shared to his Instagram story with a white heart emoji, has been flooded with comments of support from well-wishers.
Background of their relationship
The couple married in 1989 and share two children, Holly and Sam. In an article written for the Virgin website celebrating her 70th birthday, Sir Richard previously said he fell in love with Ms Templeman “from the first moment I saw her” as she worked in a bric-a-brac shop in London’s Westbourne Grove. He recalled having to “persistently hang around the shop and buy countless objects”, including an old advertising sign, before the pair started to date. He described his wife as a “very private person” who had “always stood by me mentally, emotionally and spiritually”.
Announcement of her death
Sir Richard announced the death of his wife on November 25 2025, stating he was “heartbroken” and would love her forever. He had previously shared that he celebrated both his and his wife’s birthdays with their children on a trip to Venice, Italy, which was originally booked by their eldest child Holly to mark the occasions.
