Joan Templeman, the wife of British billionaire and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has died at the age of 80. Branson announced her passing on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, in a heartfelt social media post, describing her as his "best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world." The couple had been together for 50 years.

In his tribute, Branson, 75, wrote: “Heartbroken to share that Joan, my 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.” The cause of death has not been disclosed by the family.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1948 to a working-class family, Joan Templeman maintained a determinedly private life despite her husband's global fame. Branson has frequently credited her as a grounding force and a source of wisdom throughout his entrepreneurial career, which spans aviation, space travel, and telecommunications.

A 50-Year Partnership

The couple's story began in 1976 when Branson met Templeman at an antiques shop in London's Westbourne Grove, near his Virgin Records studio. In past writings, Branson stated it was love at first sight, describing her as a "down-to-earth Scottish lady" who wouldn't be impressed by his usual antics. At the time, Templeman was married to musician Ronnie Leahy; they divorced in 1978. Branson pursued her persistently, and they began a relationship that would last five decades.

They married in 1989 on Necker Island, the private Caribbean island Branson famously bought in 1978, reportedly to impress her. The island became their family home and the venue for their children's weddings.

Together, they had three children: Holly, born in 1981, and Sam, born in 1985. Their first child, a daughter named Clare Sarah, was born prematurely in 1979 and tragically died just four days later.

Connections to Kenya and East Africa

While Joan Templeman herself kept a low public profile, the Branson family and the Virgin brand have several connections to Kenya. Sir Richard Branson has been a prominent figure in the region's tourism and conservation sectors. He owns Mahali Mzuri, a luxury safari camp located in the Maasai Mara ecosystem, which is part of the larger Serengeti-Mara ecosystem critical to both Kenya and Tanzania. A photograph from June 2, 2007, shows Richard Branson and Joan Templeman arriving for a private dinner at the Maasai Mara National Reserve, indicating her presence on at least one of his Kenyan visits.

Branson has also been involved in various philanthropic and environmental initiatives across Africa through his non-profit foundation, Virgin Unite. These efforts often focus on entrepreneurship, climate change, and conflict resolution, issues of significant importance to the East African region. Templeman was described as a steadfast supporter of all his ventures, providing the stable family foundation that allowed him to pursue global business and philanthropic interests.

A Private Life in the Public Eye

Despite being married to one of the world's most recognizable entrepreneurs, Joan Templeman consistently avoided the media spotlight. Branson noted in a 2015 blog post for her 70th birthday that she was a "very private person" who had always supported him "mentally, emotionally and spiritually." Her son, Sam Branson, echoed this sentiment in his own tribute, calling his mother “the kindest, most loving, warm and abundantly generous woman to walk this Earth.”

Her passing marks the end of a significant chapter for the Branson family and the Virgin empire she quietly supported for half a century.