Richard Branson announces death of wife Joan in heartbreaking statement

Richard Branson has announced that his wife Joan has died.

The Virgin Group founder, 75, said on social media on Tuesday (25 November) that his 'wife and partner for 50 years has passed away'.

"She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for," he wrote.

"She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.

"Love you forever, Joan x."

Branson wrote on the Virgin blog five years ago that he 'fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her'.

"Joan was a down-to-earth Scottish lady and I quickly realised she wouldn’t be impressed by my usual antics," he said.

The pair got married in 1989 and welcomed three children together - Holly, Sam, and Clare Sarah, who died at four days after being born three months premature.

As a grand gesture two years into their relationship, Branson purchased Necker Island for her for $180,000.

"Upon hearing about a beautiful island in the British Virgin Islands up for sale, I called the people selling it to enquire," he explained in the blog post.

"We were still in the early days of Virgin Records and I definitely did not have the cash to buy it - but try telling that to a fool in love!"

He said the island where he still lives was the 'second time I experienced love at first sight'.

In a 2016 blog post, Branson revealed why Joan avoided being in the public eye.

"From the beginning Joan was a very private person, and the over four decades we have been together she has remained so," he said.

"She has always been keen to avoid the public eye, to the point that she has never given an interview, however, that just changed when she did her first ever interview for an upcoming film about my ballooning adventures."

Branson went to space on a Virgin Galactic flight in 2021, a decision his wife was very nervous about.

“My wife is the sort of person who would be terrified on a Virgin Atlantic aeroplane. She’s the last person who would want to do something like this,” he said during an interview with Reuters from Spacesport America.

Commenting on Branson's heartbreaking post, one person wrote: "Sending so much love to you and your family, Richard. I am so sorry."

"Oh my god I am so so sad to read this. Joan was the kindest warmest woman I absolutely loved her," a second said.

"What a rare honour to have spent so many wonderful years together, sending you lots of love," a third added.