British Billionaire Richard Branson Breaks Silence on How His Wife Died

She was the love of his life, his anchor, his everything — and in one quiet, heartbreaking moment, she was gone, leaving him devastated and holding on to fifty years of unforgettable memories.

Billionaire business mogul Richard Branson is reeling from the heart-wrenching loss of his beloved wife Joan Templeman — the woman he called his partner in life, love, and everything in between for over 50 years.

In an emotional Instagram post that stunned followers around the world, the Virgin Group founder confirmed the devastating news on Wednesday, 25 November: Templeman had died, leaving behind a legacy of fierce love, radiant joy — and a shattered family.

And just a day later, Branson — still raw with grief — returned to social media to open up about his heartbreak in a poignant message shared with his children by his side. He began:

"Holly, Sam and I are all together now, doing our best to smile through the tears and to focus on all the good things Joan brought into our world. There are so many."

'Love-Struck Teenagers Again': A Final Hospital Reunion Turns Bittersweet

The tech tycoon's tribute took an emotional turn as he recounted the uncanny twist of fate that reunited the couple not long before her final moments.

Branson explained that he had recently suffered a bike crash in India, injuring his shoulder, while Templeman was back in England recovering from a back injury of her own. In a twist almost too cinematic to believe, he was admitted to the same hospital — and placed just down the hall from his wife.

"We laughed together about how typical it was of us to end up on the same floor," he recalled, "like love-struck teenagers delighted to find each other again."

That day, they shared what would be one of their last meals together — "a lovely lunch," Branson said — and Templeman was, to his delight, in high spirits and gaining strength:

"She smiled at me, that radiant smile that lit up her whole face — the same smile I fell in love with the very first moment I saw her, half a century ago."

Then, in a moment that crumbled his world, she was no more. "Suddenly, she was gone, quickly and painlessly," he wrote. "And thankfully, I was right by her side."

A Life of Laughter, Love, and One Final, Glorious Year

While grappling with the magnitude of their loss, Branson shared tender memories from what would unknowingly be their final year together — a year bursting with laughter, joy, and celebration.

From Templeman's 80th birthday bash at Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco to Sam's 40th birthday party onboard Virgin Voyages, Branson described a woman who remained "beaming with happiness" until the very end:

"To see her so happy in those last months is something we will treasure forever."

Yet beneath the smiles, the grief now sits heavy.

"Life will never be the same without her," Branson wrote, but offered a glimmer of solace in the legacy they built. "We have fifty incredible years of memories — years filled with tears and laughter, kindness, and a love that shaped our family more than words could ever capture."

'Everyone Needs a Joan': A Love for the Ages

The Virgin mogul also shared one final, tender photograph — taken just under two weeks before Templeman passed.

In the softly lit image, Branson kisses his wife gently on the head as she smiles into the camera, a serene moment of connection and comfort. He captioned it simply:

"Everyone needs a Joan in their life."

Two days before breaking the news to the world, he shared another image — this one a throwback — of the couple at what appears to be a glamorous event. Branson beams with pride, fist raised in joy, while Templeman stands beside him, leaning in close, smiling just as brightly.

"I'm sorry, I've got to get off the plane."

"Love this photo of Joan," he wrote, unknowingly preparing the world to say goodbye.

The Woman Who Made a Billionaire Chase Her Across the World

Their epic love story began in the mid-1970s, and in classic Branson fashion, the billionaire-to-be had to fight to win her over. In a 2019 interview with Page Six, Branson revealed how Templeman had initially shown no interest in him — but that didn't stop him.

"I thought, 'How could I persuade her to come away with me for the weekend?'" he recalled. In a jaw-dropping romantic ploy, he followed her to New York City and pretended to shop for an island just to tempt her on a trip.

He called a real estate agent — feigning his interest in purchasing an island — who arranged tickets, a helicopter, and a house. Branson then rang Templeman back and said, "I've got a spare ticket. Would you like to come down?"

She agreed. And on that magical trip, flying over what would become their home — Necker Island — Branson looked at her and thought:

"Alright, she's going to be the mother of my kids. That's where we're going to live.'"

A Plane Stopped for Love

Another unforgettable moment? Branson recalled being in Majorca, preparing to board a flight for a business trip, when he abruptly stopped the plane just before takeoff — all because he couldn't leave Templeman behind.

"I went to the front of the plane and said, 'I'm sorry, I've got to get off the plane.' And they did stop the plane. They did let me off," he shared.

As he disembarked, the entire cabin erupted in applause. "I think she was pleasantly shocked," he said of Templeman's reaction. "Yeah, it was good."

From Houseboats to Heartbreak: A Family Built on Love

Branson and Templeman's family story began with tragedy: the loss of their first child, who was born prematurely and passed away just days later. It was, as Branson wrote, "a sad time," but one they survived together.

Soon after, in 1981, they welcomed daughter, Holly, while living on a houseboat in Little Venice, and son Sam in 1985. Both grew into remarkable adults: Holly became a family doctor, Sam a producer and actor.

They later became proud grandparents of five grandchildren, with Branson sharing in 2014 how thrilled he was to "spoil them" and watch his family's happiness grow. And through it all, Templeman remained a constant force — the beating heart of the Branson clan.