Sir Richard Branson, the flamboyant founder of the Virgin Group, has announced the devastating death of his beloved wife, Joan Templeman, describing himself as 'heartbroken' by the loss of his partner of five decades.
A Heartfelt Tribute on Social Media
The billionaire entrepreneur shared the heartbreaking news with the world via an emotional post on his Instagram page on the evening of November 25. He confirmed the passing of his 'beautiful, bright, and witty' wife, who had been his constant companion since they met in the 1970s.
In his moving tribute, Sir Richard 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. Love you forever, Joan x".
A Love Story That Began at First Sight
The couple's remarkable romance began in 1976 when they met at his Virgin Records studio. Sir Richard has often recounted that it was "love at first sight" upon meeting the blonde-haired Scottish beauty who was making a cup of tea.
In a previous love letter commemorating one of their anniversaries, the business magnate elaborated on that fateful meeting: "I generally make up my mind about someone within 30 seconds of meeting them, and Joan won my heart instantly. She was unlike any other woman I had ever met. She was beautiful. She was bright. She was witty. She was down to earth. She was fun. And she had eyes made of magic."
Their love story culminated in marriage on Necker Island, Branson's private 74-acre paradise in the British Virgin Islands, in 1989.
The Independent Spirit from Glasgow
Long before she became known as the wife of one of Britain's most famous businessmen, Joan Templeman was an independent spirit from Glasgow. She was one of seven children, and her father worked as a ship carpenter to support the family.
Described as fiercely independent from an early age, she held several jobs, including running an antique store. Before meeting Branson, she had been married to her childhood sweetheart, Ronnie Leahy, in 1966. That marriage ended in divorce in 1978.
For half a century, Joan stood by Sir Richard's side, not only as a life partner but as the foundational support behind one of the world's most recognisable business empires, truly embodying the role of his "guiding light".
