Richard Branson Announces the Death of His Wife Joan

London, England — Richard Branson announced the passing of his wife, Joan, in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, November 25. Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, shared a heartfelt photo of Joan alongside his tribute.

“Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away,” he wrote. “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.”

Joan Templeman, born in Glasgow, Scotland, came from a family of six children. She held several jobs early in her life, including managing an antiques shop in Notting Hill. Branson first met her in 1976 while visiting the shop and later admitted he was smitten immediately.

The couple’s romance flourished over the years, leading to their marriage on Necker Island in 1989, which later became their family home. They had three children together: Holly, Sam, and Clare Sarah, who sadly passed away shortly after birth.

Dr. Darren Styles OBE, publisher of Attitude magazine, expressed condolences to the Branson family. “Virgin family are Attitude’s family. Our hearts go out to Sir Richard, Holly and Sam at this difficult time. They were allies before it was fashionable to be allies,” he stated.

Beyond his business ventures, Branson has been a passionate ally of the LGBTQ+ community for over five decades. He has consistently supported gay rights and inclusion, establishing the Student Advisory Centre as a safe space for youth seeking support.

In a significant gesture for the time, he purchased the London nightclub Heaven in the 1980s, which became a safe haven for the queer community. Under Branson’s leadership, the Virgin Group has sponsored Pride festivals, championed global initiatives, and endorsed equality movements.

The Branson family has also maintained a long-standing relationship with Attitude, with Virgin Atlantic sponsoring various LGBTQ+ celebrations in the UK for over a decade. In 2025, Virgin Atlantic launched a specialized campaign for LGBTQ+ travelers in partnership with Attitude.