Sir Richard Branson has revealed the passing of his wife Joan Templeman at the age of 80, sharing an emotional message on social media.
The 75-year-old entrepreneur announced the news on Monday, expressing his profound grief over losing his partner of five decades.
“Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away,” he wrote on Instagram.
In his moving tribute, Sir Richard described Ms Templeman as “the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for”.
He concluded his message with deeply personal words, saying: “She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan x.”
The couple’s romance began in 1976 when they crossed paths at Virgin Records’ recording facility in west London, where Joan was visiting whilst working at a nearby antiques establishment in Notting Hill.
Sir Richard previously recounted experiencing an immediate attraction upon meeting Glasgow-born Joan, whom he described as a “blonde-haired, down to earth, Scottish beauty.”
In 2016 to mark their 40th anniversary, Sir Richard recalled: “I experienced love at first sight upon meeting a blonde-haired, down to earth, Scottish beauty named Joan, who just happened to be making a cup of tea.”
He remembered being captivated by her qualities, saying: “She was beautiful. She was bright. She was witty. She was down to earth. She was fun. And she had eyes made of magic.”
The pair exchanged vows in 1989 on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, eleven years after their initial encounter, when their children Holly and Sam were eight and four years old.
Joan embraced her role as a devoted mother to their two children, with Sir Richard noting she was “the most wonderful mum” they could have wished for.
She later became a cherished grandmother to three grandchildren: Artie, Etta and Eva-Deia.
Despite her husband’s high-profile status, Joan maintained a private life away from public attention, seldom granting interviews throughout their marriage.
She recently marked her 80th birthday in July, with Sir Richard posting a heartfelt message expressing gratitude for their years together.
“Thank you for being by my side through it all – the highs, the lows, and all those quiet, content and peaceful moments in between. These are the moments I cherish most with you, I love you more and more each year,” he wrote on Facebook.
The couple had been anticipating their golden anniversary celebration, scheduled for February 7.
Born Joan Templeman in 1948, Joan came from modest beginnings as one of seven siblings, with her father employed as a ship carpenter.
More to follow…