Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Atlantic, has announced the death of his wife, Joan Branson, at age 80, expressing profound sorrow for his partner of 50 years and the mother of his children.
Joan Branson, the wife of British billionaire Richard Branson, has passed away at the age of 80. Richard Branson shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram and LinkedIn, describing her as his 'best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world' and a 'most wonderful mum and grandmum.' The couple, who were together for 50 years, met in 1976 at The Manor, a recording studio in Oxfordshire, England, where Joan worked at an antique shop. Branson, known for founding Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Galactic, and Virgin Orbit, recalled Joan as a 'down-to-earth Scottish lady.' They had three children: Holly, Sam, and Sarah Clare, who tragically died shortly after birth in 1979.
