In a poignant revelation, Sir Richard Branson has detailed the extraordinary twist of fate that allowed him to be with his wife, Joan, during her final hours, following a romance that spanned nearly five decades.
A Heartbreaking Announcement
Sir Richard Branson announced earlier this week the tragic passing of his beloved wife, Joan, who was 80 years old. The billionaire entrepreneur, aged 75, shared the devastating news in a heartfelt Instagram post, describing Joan as his partner for almost 50 years.
The Twist of Fate That United Them
Branson explained that a seemingly unfortunate event led to their final reunion. He had injured his shoulder after falling off his bike during a charity event in India. This accident prompted his return to England, coinciding with Joan's own hospital stay as she recovered from a back injury.
"Fate has a strange way of working," Branson wrote on Instagram. "As many already know, I’d come off my bike in India and hurt my shoulder. Joan was recovering from her own back injury in hospital in England. In the way life sometimes surprises you, I found myself moved to a room just down the corridor from her."
He described how they laughed together about the situation, feeling like "love-struck teenagers delighted to find each other again" on the same hospital floor.
Final Moments and a Lasting Legacy
The couple shared a "lovely lunch" together, and Branson noted that Joan had been in "positive spirits" shortly before she passed away. "Then suddenly, she was gone, quickly and painlessly. And thankfully, I was right by her side. It brings us all great comfort to know we were together," he expressed.
Branson also reflected on the "incredible final year we all had together." The couple's love story began in 1976, which he described as "love at first sight." He shared, "I often make up my mind about someone within 30 seconds of meeting them, and I fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her."
At the time, Joan worked in an antiques shop in Notting Hill. Richard would repeatedly visit to buy vintage signs from her, many of which decorated the houseboat he lived on. Their romance blossomed, leading to the birth of their two children, Holly, 44, and Sam, 40. They eventually married on Necker Island in 1989.
Describing Joan as his "constant rock" and a "steady source of wisdom," Branson credited her with contributing to some of his major business successes. Most notably, they co-created the slogan ‘Now That’s What I Call Music!’, which became the biggest-selling album series in history.
Announcing her death, Richard's social media tribute read: “Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away. 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.”
