Richard Branson’s wife of 50 years, Joan Templeman, has passed away at age 80.

Richard Branson has announced the passing of his beloved wife and life partner, Joan Templeman, at the age of 80. In a heartfelt statement, he described her as his “best friend, rock, guiding light, and world.”

Their union, which spanned five decades, was one of quiet strength, deep affection and unwavering companionship.

Richard and Joan first met in 1976, long before the Virgin empire became a global force.

Their connection was immediate, founded on warmth, authenticity, and a shared sense of groundedness.

After years together, they married in 1989 on Necker Island the private Caribbean retreat Branson famously purchased during their courtship.

Together, they built a family defined by love and resilience. They welcomed two children, Holly and Sam, and later became grandparents, a role Joan treasured deeply.

The couple also endured profound loss early in their relationship, with the passing of their first daughter, Clare Sarah, just days after birth — a tragedy that shaped Joan’s compassion and quiet resolve.

Throughout Branson’s very public career from business ventures to global adventures Joan remained a steady, private presence.

She was known for her humility, grace, and fierce devotion to her family. While Richard often stood before cameras and headlines, those closest to them knew Joan as the grounding force behind one of the world’s most dynamic entrepreneurs.

Branson shared that Joan passed peacefully, with him by her side.

Her death marks not only the loss of a wife and mother, but of a woman whose influence, though often behind the scenes, helped shape decades of family, philanthropy and legacy.

As tributes pour in, Joan Templeman is remembered for the life she lived quietly, lovingly, and with timeless dignity a reminder that some of the most powerful legacies are built not in the spotlight, but in the hearts of those we hold closest.