The cause of death of Lady Joan Sarah Drummond Branson, the wife of Sir Richard Branson, has been revealed in court. Lady Branson died from a blood clot on November 24, 2025, at the age of 80. She passed away at London Bridge Hospital due to complications from a back injury sustained in a fall two weeks earlier.
Pre-Inquest Review Hearing
At a pre-inquest review hearing, Sir Richard and Joan's daughter, Holly Branson, 44, stated that the family was not seeking to blame anyone for her death. However, an inquest scheduled for later this year will investigate whether Lady Branson should have been prescribed blood thinners and if she was wearing anti-clot stockings at the time of her death.
Speaking at Inner West London Coroners’ Court, Holly said: "I believe mum had great care. The doctors saved her life three years ago, giving us all three more years together. We just want to help other families if there are any lessons to be learned."
Inquest Details
Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox informed the court that the upcoming inquest will determine whether Lady Branson was wearing Thrombo-Embolus Deterrent (TED) stockings, which reduce the risk of blood clots and are used during periods of inactivity. Statements from an expert witness will be required to assess if a prescription of the anti-coagulant Heparin would have prevented her death, given her history of clots. An expert haematologist will present a report at the inquest, scheduled for September.
History of Blood Clots
Lady Branson’s history of blood clots dated back to at least 2010. In 2018, Sir Richard recounted that his wife had woken up one morning to find her leg three times its normal size, leading to a novel treatment. She suffered a series of clots from her ankle to her groin, described as the worst case doctors had ever seen. Sir Richard said: "She was in great danger of a pulmonary embolism, as bits of the clot threatened to break away and travel to her lungs. The doctors put her on Warfarin, pulled a compression stocking over her leg, and told her that over time the leg would improve, but she might suffer a major pulmonary embolism." She underwent surgery to place a tiny umbrella inside her leg to prevent clots from reaching her lungs, and Sir Richard noted: "Two days later, she nearly skipped out of the building."
Sir Richard's Tribute
Sir Richard was in the same hospital as his wife when she died, having injured his shoulder in a bike accident in India. He announced her death on Instagram on November 25 last year, writing: "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." In a longer tribute on virgin.com, he added: "Joan was the most wonderful partner, friend, mum and grandmother we could ever have wished for. Holly, Sam and I are all together now, doing our best to smile through the tears and to focus on all the good things she brought into our world. She smiled at me, that radiant smile that lit up her whole face, the same smile I fell in love with the very first moment I saw her, half a century ago. Then suddenly, she was gone, quickly and painlessly. And thankfully, I was right by her side."
Love Story and Family
Sir Richard and Joan’s love story began in 1976 when he met Joan Templeman at The Manor, a live-in recording studio for Virgin Records. She worked in an antiques shop called Dodo in Notting Hill, near the Virgin office. Glasgow-born Lady Branson was a former model at the heart of Swinging London’s music and fashion scene. Sir Richard found excuses to visit her shop, amassing a collection of antiques. At the time, she was married to rock pianist Ronnie Leahy, and they began an affair. Their first child, Clare Sarah, was stillborn in 1979. Lady Branson later supported premature birth charities. Their children Holly and Sam were born in 1981 and 1985. Lady Branson is survived by her five grandchildren.
