Joan Templeman, the wife of British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, died at the age of 80.
Branson confirmed her death on Tuesday via social media, stating that he was “heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.”
“She was the best mother and grandmother our children and grandchildren could ever have dreamed for. She was my dearest friend, my rock, my guiding light, and my everything.”
Branson founded the Virgin Atlantic airline, Virgin Galactic space tourism enterprise, and Virgin Orbit satellite launcher.
The couple married in 1989 and had three children: Holly, Sam, and Sarah Clare. Sarah Clare died soon after birth in 1979.
In a 2020 blog post, Branson stated that he met Templeman in 1976 at The Manor, a recording studio in Oxfordshire, England. “Joan was a down-to-earth Scottish lady and I quickly realised she wouldn’t be impressed by my usual antics,” Branson remarked.
He claimed that she was employed at an antique store that sold vintage signs and advertisements.
“I hesitated outside the store before gaining the bravery to enter… My trips to Joan over the course of the following few weeks gave me an amazing collection of vintage hand-painted tin signs that promoted everything from Woodbine smokes to Hovis bread, Branson said.
Branson described his wife as a “very private person” who had “always stood by me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually” in a different essay.
“The kindest, most loving, warm, and abundantly generous woman to walk this Earth” is how Sam Branson characterised his mother.
“I am incredibly appreciative to have been your son and to be able to call you mum,” he added.
