Richard branson has announced the death of his wife, Joan Templeman Branson, after a 50-year partnership [[1]]. Templeman, 80, passed away Tuesday, prompting an outpouring of remembrance for the woman described by the Virgin Group founder as his “rock” and “guiding light” [[3]]. The news marks a poignant moment for the family and those who have followed Branson’s career and personal life for decades [[2]].
Richard Branson has announced the passing of his wife, Joan, his partner of 50 years. The news was shared on Tuesday across Branson’s Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.
“With a heavy heart, I must share that Joan, my wife and partner of 50 years, has passed away,” Branson wrote. “She was the most extraordinary mother and grandmother our children and grandchildren could have wished for. She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.”
Branson is widely known as the founder of Virgin Atlantic airlines, the space tourism company Virgin Galactic, and the satellite launch firm Virgin Orbit, ventures that have redefined travel and innovation.
In a 2020 blog post, Branson recounted meeting Joan in 1976 at The Manor recording studio in Oxfordshire, England. He described being immediately struck by her authenticity.
“Joan was a straight-talking, down-to-earth Scot and quickly realized I wasn’t going to impress her with my usual antics or tricks,” he shared.
At the time, Joan was working in an antique shop specializing in vintage signs and advertisements.
“I hovered nervously outside the shop for a while, then mustered the courage to go in. Over the next few weeks, my visits to Joan ‘earned’ me an impressive collection of old, hand-painted enamel signs advertising everything from Hovis bread to Woodbine cigarettes,” Branson recalled fondly.
The couple shared three children: Holly, Sam, and Clare Sarah. Sadly, their daughter Clare Sarah passed away shortly after birth in 1979.
