British billionaire and founder of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, has announced the passing of his wife, Joan Templeman, describing her as the heart of their family and the anchor of his life for nearly five decades.
Branson revealed Templeman’s death in an emotional Instagram post late Tuesday, saying he was “heartbroken” and that “life will never be the same without her.”
Although he did not disclose the cause of death, he noted in a blog post that she had recently been recovering from a back injury in a hospital in England.
Paying tribute to his lifelong partner, Branson said their union was built on “fifty incredible years of memories – years filled with tears and laughter, kindness, and a love that shaped our family more than words could ever capture.”
He added that theirs was a relationship that simply “worked,” grounded in joy, humour, and deep mutual affection.
The Branson family, which includes their two children, Holly and Sam, as well as several grandchildren, are reportedly “devastated” by the loss.
Branson first met Templeman in London in 1976 and often spoke about how he fell in love with her at first sight. They married 13 years later on Necker Island, Branson’s private Caribbean retreat, which he bought in the late 1970s for $180,000.
The couple made the island their home for decades.
Despite being married to one of the world’s most recognisable businessmen, Templeman maintained a low profile. Branson fondly described her as a “down-to-earth Scottish lady” and a “very private person” who shunned publicity and rarely granted interviews.
In his tribute, Branson said Joan “lived so fully and joyfully, always thinking of others, always lifting everyone else up.”
— AFP
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