Richard Branson's Wife Has Passed Away – His Last Message Breaks Hearts

The Virgin Group founder and his wife, who have been married since 1989, enjoyed decades of unwavering passion, love, and support for one another.

Sir Richard Branson shared heartbreaking news with his followers, revealing that his beloved wife, Joan Templeman, had died. His deeply personal message moved people worldwide, prompting many to share their sympathy and offer support to him and his family.

Fans Share in Grief Following Branson's Emotional Tribute

Branson opened up about his loss in an emotional post shared on November 25. In it, he wrote, "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."

He continued to honor her memory with words that captured the depth of their bond, "She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan x."

The sincerity of his tribute resonated widely. Fans responded with messages of compassion, hoping to offer comfort during his time of mourning. One admirer, unable to hold back their emotions, shared, "So sorry for your loss ❤️."

Another follower offered, "My condolences to you and your family 🙏🏽." Someone else, clearly shaken by the news, penned with sorrow, "Heartbroken, speechless left a huge hole in our hearts."

Love at First Sight in a North London Studio

Branson and Templeman first crossed paths over 40 years ago at The Manor, the live-in studio he had created for Virgin Records.

"I often make up my mind about someone within 30 seconds of meetings [sic] them, and I fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her. Joan was a down-to-earth Scottish lady, and I quickly realized she wouldn't be impressed by my usual antics," he shared.

At the time, Templeman worked at an antiques shop in Notting Hill called Dodo, not far from Virgin's office at Vernon Yard. One day, Branson hesitated at the door before gathering the courage to walk inside. "The shop sold old signs and advertisements, which I pretended to the shop owner, Liz, that I was fascinated by," noted Branson.

His visits soon became frequent enough that he accumulated a growing assortment of hand-painted tin signs — everything from Hovis bread promotions to Woodbine cigarette ads.

A Romance That Transformed an Empire

Branson was living on a houseboat during those years. His place gradually filled up with quirky messages such as "Dive in Here for Tea" and "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained." One poster stayed with him more than he expected. It was a Danish Bacon advertisement featuring a pig eyeing a chicken and remarking, "Now That's What I Call Music."

When Virgin Records began searching for a name for an upcoming compilation series, that image resurfaced in his mind. Ultimately, it inspired the title that would go on to define the biggest-selling album series in history.

Beyond that unexpected contribution to pop-culture branding, Templeman became central to nearly every part of Branson's life. They had partnered for over 45 years and had been married for more than 30 years. She became the mother to their two children, Holly and Sam.

Templeman shaped both their family and many of Branson's most meaningful decisions. They later became grandparents, all while she remained a steady source of clarity and support. She even influenced one of the boldest choices Branson ever made when he pursued Necker Island.

Stranded and Sunburnt After a Rejected Bid

Two years after their first meeting, a 27-year-old Branson sought a grand way to show Templeman how much she meant to him. Determined to win her over, he followed her to New York, hoping to persuade her to join him on a romantic getaway.

"I thought, 'Well how could I persuade her to come away with me for the weekend?'…So I rang up an estate agent … I pretended I wanted to buy an island [in the Virgin Islands] and they said, 'Well come on down. We'll send you two tickets, we'll find a helicopter, we'll lay on a house for you,'" he narrated.

At this time, Virgin Records was still young, and he couldn't realistically afford the stunning island in the British Virgin Islands. Still, swept up in the intensity of new love, he accepted the invitation to view the property.

He and Templeman soon found themselves flying over what would one day become their home, and he felt another jolt of instant attachment — this time to the island itself. "It was the second time I experienced love at first sight," he gushed.

The couple wandered across the landscape, imagining the kind of retreat it could become, both for themselves and for musicians they hoped to host. However, their excitement was cut short when Branson's top offer of $100,000 was brushed aside.

The reduced asking price hovered around $6 million, and the rejection left them stranded after the departing helicopter moved on without them. The pair ended up hitch-hiking back to the airport, sunburnt and with Branson's ego a little dented. Even so, the moment didn't diminish the growing bond between them.

Necker Island: Their Island of Love

Templeman wasn't discouraged by Branson's failed attempt, and their relationship only strengthened. A year later, Necker Island still hadn't been sold, and its owner was eager to let it go. By then, Virgin Records had stabilized, and Branson was finally in a position to make a deal.

He secured the island for $180,000. "It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. But the very best was when Joan and I got married on Necker 11 years later, and it's still the place we call home," he said.

The island eventually became not only their shared refuge but the heart of their family life. Looking back on that first meeting at The Manor, Branson often reflects on everything that followed.

"I never could have imagined what the next four decades would bring, with a lifetime of love, wonderful children in Holly and Sam, and our delightful grandchildren," he enthused.

For Branson, none of it would have been possible without Joan Templeman, and he wouldn't have chosen any other version of the life they built together.

A Life of Unshakable Love

In 2019, after three decades together, Branson shared some tips on what it takes to find lasting love. He emphasized that relationships require effort and cannot simply be left to chance.

"I think if you just sit back and wait for it to come, it's not necessarily going to happen. I think you've got to be willing to subtly chase somebody if you're really interested," he explained.

Branson recounted how Templeman, who was in a relationship when they first met, never deterred him. In fact, he became known as "Tagalong" among friends, frequently trailing after her in the early days of their courtship until his persistence eventually won her over.

Branson also highlighted the importance of balance in pursuing love. He urged people to be consistent and committed, but cautioned them not to overstep boundaries or push too hard. Noticing how many single people struggled to find love, Branson even joked about the idea of launching a Virgin Dating app to help them meet someone special.

A Bold, Tearjerking Airport Dash

The entrepreneur also emphasized that once these people have found the person they care about, it's important to nurture and sustain that relationship over time. Branson also shared one moment in his life that stands out.

A few years ago in Majorca, he found himself in the middle of a business trip while Templeman was still at the airport. As the plane began taxiing down the runway, he suddenly realized he couldn't leave without seeing her one more time.

"So I jumped up, I went to the front of the plane and said 'I'm sorry, I've got to get out off the plane,' and they did stop the plane. They did let me off," he recalled.

His dramatic gesture was met with cheers from the other passengers, who applauded the bold display of devotion. Templeman, unsurprisingly, was left pleasantly surprised by the unexpected turn of events.

These grand gestures, along with their decades-long love story, illustrate just how deeply Richard Branson cherished Templeman. Her passing has left him heartbroken, and he faces life without her presence with profound sorrow and a sense of loss that will be deeply felt every day.