Breaking News: Joan Branson Passes Away – A Look at Her Life and Legacy

Joan Branson, spouse of Virgin Group’s Richard Branson, has passed away at the age of 80.

On Tuesday, via Instagram, Richard Branson expressed his sorrow, stating, “Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away. She was an extraordinary mother and grandmother, cherished deeply by our children and grandchildren.”

The British magnate further shared, “She was my best friend, my anchor, my guiding star, my entire universe,” ending with, “Love you forever, Joan x”

Richard Branson married Joan in 1989, and they had three children together: Holly, now 44, Sam, 40, and Clare Sarah who passed away just four days after birth.

On Wednesday, Richard shared on Instagram that he and his children were “now together, trying to smile through our tears, remembering all the joy Joan brought us,” emphasizing that “there are countless memories.”

Richard shared a touching story, “It’s strange how fate works. As some may know, I recently had a bicycle accident in India and injured my shoulder. Meanwhile, Joan was recovering from a back surgery in a hospital in England. In an unexpected turn, I was moved to a room just down the hall from hers. We laughed about it, feeling like teenagers in love again, delighted to be so close.”

He recalled having a “wonderful lunch” with Joan that day, noting she was “in great spirits and growing stronger.”

He continued, “She gave me that radiant smile that first captivated me when we met over fifty years ago. Then suddenly, she was gone, peacefully and swiftly. Thankfully, I was right there beside her. Knowing we were together at the end brings us immense comfort.”

Reflecting on their last year together, Richard remembered, “It was incredible, including her beautiful 80th birthday celebration at Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, surrounded by dear friends; Sam’s 40th on board Virgin Voyages; and countless moments of her radiating happiness.”