Joan Branson, the dearly cherished matriarch of the Branson Family and wife of Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has died at the age of 80. The pair had a powerful, progressive marriage lasting more than half a century. They had a private wedding ceremony in 1989 on Necker Island, Sir Richard’s private retreat in the Caribbean. Sir Richard is deeply saddened by the death of his wife and life partner. Her death becomes an enormous blow for him.
In a heartfelt statement, Sir Richard Branson said, “Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.” He reflected on their enduring relationship, describing Joan as “my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.” Their historic romance kicked off when Sir Richard first spotted Joan. He recalled, “I fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her,” and humorously noted that he would visit her shop daily, buying items he did not need just to spend time with her.
Joan Branson was a devoted mother to three children: Holly, Sam, and Clare. Clare tragically died shortly after birth, which impacted the family greatly. In addition to being a mother, Joan was a grandmother to five grandchildren, who cherished her presence in their lives.
Sam Branson described his mother as “the kindest, most loving, warm and abundantly generous woman to walk this Earth.” From those evocative memories, he closed with appreciation for having had the privilege of calling her mum. Similarly, Holly Branson spoke of her mother’s dedication as a stay-at-home mom who was always there with comfort and wisdom. “She was (and still is) always there with a hug, inspiring words of wisdom, and a beautiful, welcoming smile,” Holly shared.
Even Sir Richard Branson acknowledged Joan’s steadfast encouragement and impact on his life. He stated, “Joan has always been a steady source of wisdom and has played no small part in some of my better life decisions.” She was instrumental in his rehabilitation. She wasn’t merely his partner in crime—she was the driving force behind his personal and professional evolution.