Virgin mogul Richard Branson and his wife Lady Joan Branson were happily married for 36 years and the business tycoon even bought the famous Necker Island for her
17:03, 25 Nov 2025
Virgin boss Richard Branson broke the sad news of his wife’s death on 25 November 2025(Image: Getty Images for Atlantis, The P)
Richard Branson has announced the death of his wife Joan.
The 75-year-old Virgin boss wrote on social media: “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. Love you forever, Joan x”
Just four months ago, Joan celebrated her eightieth birthday and Richard took to Facebook to write: “Happy 80th to my wonderful, wonderful wife. 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 the most with you. I love you more and more each year.”
Just two years after they had first met, the business tycoon put an offer in for Necker Island as a tribute to her.
Richard and Joan married one another on Necker Island in 1989(Image: FilmMagic)
“Upon hearing about a beautiful island in the British Virgin Islands up for sale, I called the people selling it to enquire. We were still in the early days of Virgin Records and I definitely did not have the cash to buy it – but try telling that to a fool in love!” he wrote in his blog post.
Joan was born in Glasgow, Scotland back in 1948 and worked several jobs throughout her younger years, including running an antique store. Before she married Richard, Joan tied the knot with her ex-husband Ronnie Leahy but they later divorced in 1978.
Joan had recently celebrated her 80th birthday(Image: Getty Images)
She met Richard at his Virgin Records studio in 1976 and they said “I do” 13 years later on the Branson-owned Necker Island, situated in the Caribbean Sea. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary ten years ago.
Richard wrote a romantic letter for Joan to commemorate the occasion and recalled “experiencing love at first sight” when he spotted her – he described her as a “down to earth, Scottish beauty who just happened to be making a cup of tea.”
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