Sir Richard Branson has announced the death of his wife, Joan Templeman, saying he is “heartbroken” at the loss of his partner of nearly 50 years.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the Virgin Group founder described Templeman as “my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world,” adding: “Love you forever, Joan x.” He said she had been “the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for,” paying tribute to the quiet but central role she played in both family life and his career.
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Templeman, who was born in Scotland, was widely regarded as a steadying presence behind Branson’s high-profile ventures. The couple married in 1989 on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands and had three children together. Their first daughter, Clare Sarah, died shortly after birth in 1979, while their surviving children, Holly and Sam, have been closely involved in the family business.
Despite Branson’s global fame and the rapid expansion of the Virgin brand across aviation, music, telecoms and space flight, Templeman largely stayed out of the spotlight. Branson has often credited her with providing the stability and grounding that enabled him to pursue high-risk business decisions over the decades.
Just last month, he shared a photograph of himself kissing her on the head, captioned: “Everyone needs a Joan in their life.” She appeared in good health earlier this year and celebrated her 80th birthday in the summer, when Branson thanked her for being by his side through “the highs, the lows, and all those quiet, content and peaceful moments in between.”
No cause of death has been disclosed. Tributes have begun to pour in from across the business world and social media, reflecting Templeman’s reputation as the heart of the Branson family and the person he frequently described as the foundation of his extraordinary public career.
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