Richard Branson announces death of his wife and ‘best friend’ of 50 years Joan

Richard Branson announces death of his wife and ‘best friend’ of 50 years Joan Molly Lee Molly Lee Published November 25, 2025 5:31pm Updated November 25, 2025 5:43pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Lady Joan, Sir Richard Branson’s wife, has died, aged 80 (Picture: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Sir Richard Branson has announced the death of his beloved wife of 50 years, Lady Joan Branson.

Announcing her death on social media, the founder of Virgin, 75, 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.

‘She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRfH-f9DdU0

‘Love you forever, Joan x’

Lady Joan has long been credited as the billionaire’s ‘rock’ and ‘source of wisdom.’

Branson wrote on the Virgin blog that he ‘fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her’.

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The couple met in 1976 at The Manor, a live-in recording studio for Virgin Records, where Branson said he ‘fell in love’ with her at first sight.

They later married in 1989 and welcomed three children together – Holly, Sam and Clare Sarah.

Richard Branson and his wife Joan on their wedding day with their children Holly and Sam (Picture: Virgin.com)

Clare Sarah died four days after being born three months premature.

Lady Joan, who was thought to be in good health when she recently celebrated her 80th birthday this summer, was set to celebrate her 50th anniversary on February 7.

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