The cause of death of Lady Joan Branson, wife of Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has been revealed at a pre-inquest hearing. The 80-year-old died at The Lister Bridge Hospital in November 2025 from a blood clot that developed two weeks after a fall.
The hearing at Inner West London Coroner’s Court heard that the family does not seek to blame anyone for her death. However, a full inquest in September will examine whether Lady Branson should have been prescribed blood thinners and if she was wearing anti-clot stockings at the time of her death.
Lady Branson’s daughter Holly said: “I believe mum had great care. The doctors saved her life three years ago, giving us all three more years together. We just want to help other families if there are any lessons to be learned.” Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox stated that expert witness statements would be needed to determine whether the anticoagulant Heparin could have prevented the death.
Sir Richard Branson had previously disclosed that his wife had a history of blood clots dating back to at least 2010. In 2018, she experienced severe clotting from ankle to groin, described as the “worst case” doctors had seen. She was prescribed Warfarin and had surgery to install an umbrella device to prevent clots reaching her lungs.
Sir Richard announced his wife’s death in an emotional Instagram tribute, calling her his “best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.” He later said she died “quickly and painlessly” and that he had lunch with her on the day of her death. The couple married in 1989 on Necker Island and had three children, including Clare Sarah who died shortly after birth in 1979.
