Sir Richard Branson has announced the death of his wife, Lady Joan, after 50 years together.
In a statement on social media on Tuesday, the Virgin founder said: “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.”
Sir Richard’s Instagram post of his wife Joan. Credit: richardbranson/ Instagram
Lady Joan, with whom Sir Richard shared two children, has long been credited as his greatest source of support and wisdom.
Just last week, he had posted a photo of himself kissing her head, writing: “Everyone needs a Joan in their life.”
She was believed to be in good health when she celebrated her 80th birthday this summer, with Sir Richard paying tribute at the time to her constant presence “through the highs, the lows, and all those quiet, content and peaceful moments in between”.
Richard Branson and Joan Templeman with their children, Holly and Sam, after their wedding on the Caribbean island of Necker in 1989. Credit: PA
In an article written for the Virgin website celebrating her 70th birthday, the entrepreneur previously said he fell in love with Ms Templeman “from the first moment I saw her” as she worked in a bric-a-brac shop in London’s Westbourne Grove.
Sir Richard recalled he had to “persistently hang around the shop and buy countless objects”, including an old advertising sign, before the pair started to date.
In the piece, the businessman said his wife was a “very private person” who had “always stood by me mentally, emotionally and spiritually”.
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