Virgin Founder Announces Heartbreaking Loss of Beloved Wife
Sir Richard Branson, the renowned British entrepreneur and Virgin founder, has shared the devastating news of his wife Joan's passing. The 75-year-old business magnate announced on Tuesday that his partner of five decades had died at the age of 80.
In an emotional social media tribute, the Virgin boss wrote: 'Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.' He described her as 'the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for' and celebrated her as his 'best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.'
A Marriage That Spanned Generations
The couple married in 1989 when their two children, Holly and Sam, were eight and four years old respectively. Their family has since grown to include five grandchildren - Holly's children Etta, Artie and Lola, along with Sam's children Eva-Deia and Bluey Rafe.
The Branson family has always been known for their close-knit relationships and unconventional approach to parenting. Earlier this year, their daughter Holly, now 44, publicly praised her parents for their progressive attitudes during her childhood.
Progressive Parenting and Unconditional Love
Holly Branson recently revealed that she lived as a boy from age four until nearly eleven, and credited her parents with never making her feel 'strange' about her identity exploration. In a heartfelt Instagram tribute to her mother for Joan's 80th birthday in July, Holly described their unconditional love as 'empowering'.
'Having a daughter who decided from the age of four that she wanted to be a boy must have been difficult to navigate back then,' Holly wrote. 'Mum (and Dad) never made me feel like I was strange in any way, and I am so thankful to them both for this.'
She further elaborated on her mother's qualities, noting: 'Mum has always been so open-minded, empathetic and kind. Truly letting me and Sam be totally free to become the people we wanted to be.'
The Branson Children's Journeys
Holly, who is now a doctor and chairs the Virgin Foundation, has been open about her 'difficult and distressing' fertility journey, which included two miscarriages and two failed IVF attempts before she and husband Freddie Andrews considered adoption and surrogacy. The couple now have three children together.
Meanwhile, son Sam Branson has pursued a more unconventional path. The 40-year-old lives in an Oxfordshire farmhouse with his wife Isabella Amaryllis Charlotte Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe and their two children, on an estate originally owned by his father.
Sam recently launched a music career, though faced accusations of being a 'nepo baby' when he appeared on ITV's Lorraine show to promote his work. The former adventurer and filmmaker acknowledged it took him 30 years to 'plucked up the courage' to pursue his pop star dreams.
His musical ambitions have received strong support from Sir Richard, who posted a picture of his son playing guitar on the family's private island with the caption: 'I'm so proud of Sam.' Growing up surrounded by musical legends like Peter Gabriel and Queen's Roger Taylor, Sam even features Duran Duran guitarist Dom Brown on his album after jamming sessions with mutual friends.
The Branson family's story reflects not just business success but a legacy of unconventional love and support that spanned generations, with Joan Branson remembered as the matriarch who held it all together with grace and unconditional acceptance.
