Sir Richard Branson celebrated the life of his late wife Joan in a moonlit ceremony on Necker Island on New Year's Eve, six weeks after her death. The Virgin founder, 75, described the event as a tribute to the woman who was his partner for nearly 50 years, under what he called the 'brightest moon of the year'. Joan died in November at the age of 80, while both were in hospital; she had been recovering from a back injury.
Branson, their children and loved ones walked single file across the sand dunes of the exclusive 74-acre private island in the British Virgin Islands, all wearing white. The couple married on Necker Island in 1989, which Branson bought for $180,000 in 1979. In a social media post, Branson wrote: 'We held a beautiful celebration... There were stories, songs, laughter, and tears, all in honour of the most incredible partner, mum, grandmother, and friend.'
Branson, whose arm was in a sling, gave a speech before the party raised champagne to toast her memory. He ended a lengthy tribute with the words: '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, 44, also paid tribute, describing her mother's 'unconditional love' and saying she felt 'deep gratitude' for having such a 'brilliant, kind, caring mum'. Branson met Joan in 1979 while she worked in an antique sign shop in Notting Hill.
