Sir Richard Branson has led a deeply personal and ethereal celebration of life for his late wife, Joan, on the couple's private Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.
A Moonlit Farewell on New Year's Eve
The emotional ceremony took place on New Year's Eve, approximately six weeks after Joan's passing in November. The Virgin Group founder, alongside his children Holly and Sam and a large gathering of loved ones, honoured Joan's memory under what he described as the "brightest moon of the year."
Joan Branson, aged 80, died suddenly while both she and Richard were in hospital. She had been recovering from a back injury, though her precise cause of death remains unknown. The billionaire entrepreneur stated that she passed away "quickly and painlessly." The couple had been partners for nearly five decades and married for 36 years.
A Procession in White on Beloved Sands
To commemorate Joan's "otherworldly presence," attendees dressed entirely in white and walked in a single-file procession across the iconic sand dunes of Necker Island. This 74-acre private island holds profound significance for the family; Richard purchased it for $180,000 in 1979 as a home for himself and Joan, and it was where they later married in 1989.
During the celebration, Branson, who wore a sling on his arm, delivered a heartfelt speech about his beloved wife. The group then raised glasses of champagne in a toast to her memory on the very beach where they exchanged vows.
Family Tributes to an Unconditional Love
Sharing photographs from the event on social media, the 75-year-old wrote a lengthy tribute. "My family and I have always believed in celebrating people’s lives, while they are with us and after they are gone. That is exactly what we did for Joan," he said. "There were stories, songs, laughter, and tears, all in honour of the most incredible partner, mum, grandmother, and friend."
He reflected on meeting Joan in 1979 at an antique sign shop in London's Notting Hill, concluding his message: "Joan was my everything, the shining star around which our family’s universe has always orbited. That light is not gone; it’s just taken on a new shape."
Their daughter, Holly Branson, 44, also shared an emotional post, expressing the difficulty of summarising "44 years of unconditional love." She wrote of her mother's boundless affection and the deep gratitude she now feels. "The initial shock and pain has shifted into a deep gratitude that I had such a brilliant, kind, caring mum," Holly stated.
She revealed a touching moment with her own daughter, Etta, who noted her grandmother's influence, saying, "You're channelling your inner Amma." Holly added, "That is exactly what I want to do. Channel you every day."
The ceremony served as a powerful testament to Joan Branson's life and the profound impact she had on her family and friends, blending sorrow with celebration in a uniquely personal setting.
