Richard Branson and his woman Joan. Credit: Facebook, Richard Branson.
Richard Branson has announced today, November 25, that his wife, Joan Templeman, has died, sharing an affectional tribute describing her arsenic his “best friend,” “rock,” and “guiding light.”
The Virgin laminitis confirmed nan sad news successful a connection posted connected his charismatic Facebook page, prompting an outpouring of condolences.
Joan, 76, had been joined to Branson since 1989, and nan mates were together for much than 50 years.
Branson’s affectional tribute to precocious woman Joan
In his nationalist announcement, Branson wrote:
“Heartbroken to stock that Joan, my woman and partner for 50 years, has passed away. She was nan astir awesome mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could person ever wished for. She was my champion friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan x.”
The mates shared 3 children: Holly, Sam, and their first girl Clare, who sadly died soon aft birth.
According to People Magazine, Branson described Joan arsenic a “down-to-earth Scottish lady” whom he met successful nan precocious 1970s while moving astatine an antiques shop successful Notting Hill.
Branson recalled successful a 2020 Virgin blog post: “I fell for Joan almost from nan infinitesimal I saw her… I quickly realised she wouldn’t beryllium impressed by my accustomed antics.”
Despite her husband’s world fame, Joan consistently avoided nationalist attention. Branson wrote successful 2016:
“From nan opening Joan was a very backstage person… she has ever been keen to debar nan nationalist eye.”
Branson famously purchased Necker Island successful nan British Virgin Islands arsenic a romanticist motion for Joan aft first gathering her – moreover though, arsenic he admitted, he could not genuinely spend it astatine nan time. His first connection was rejected, and past he later bought it for $180,000 (€155.800).
Speaking to Page Six successful a erstwhile interview, Branson revealed he erstwhile stopped a level mid-taxi because he “didn’t want to time off Joan behind”, recalling that chap passengers applauded nan melodramatic moment.
The mates joined connected Necker Island successful 1989, and some their children later wed location arsenic well. Joan’s support spanned Branson’s decades-long entrepreneurial journey, including founding Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Galactic, and nan non-profit Virgin Unite.
Richard was awarded a knighthood successful 1999 for services to entrepreneurship. He is simply a “proud grand-dude” to 5 grandchildren – Etta, Artie, Lola, Eva-Deia, and Bluey.
Messages of sympathy are presently pouring in.
RIP Joan.
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