Virgin boss Richard Branson has announced that his wife Joan has sadly died, as he took to social media issuing a tear-jerking tribute to his ‘best friend’
Joan Branson has died. Her husband, Sir Richard Branson, took to social media to announce the devastating news.
Sharing a heartbreaking statement on Instagram, he 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.
Sir Richard broke the news on social media
The couple were close to celebrating their 50th anniversary
Many followers took to the comments section of his post to share their own devastation and messages of condolence. Among them was TV host Andrea Minski, who wrote: “’Im so sorry my friend .. I’m sending you a hug straight to your soul.
“I really loved your wife. Every year at Necker she shared the best mom advice with me, and I’ll never forget our conversations over champagne. Thinking of you and your family and sending you all my love and strength.”
Businesswoman Sara Blakely also said: “Oh Richard …. Heartbroken. Sending so much love to you and your family. She is the best. The best. So glad you had each other for so long.”
In the summer, Sir Richard gushed over his wife on her milestone 80th birthday. He wrote on social media in July: “‘Thank you for being by my side through it all – the highs, the lows, and all those quiet, content and peaceful moments in between. These are the moments I cherish most with you, I love you more and more each year.”
Sir Richard often praised his wife publiclyDon’t Miss
They had initially met in 1976 at The Manor. The live-in recording studio for Virgin Records was were Sir Richard confessed he ‘fell in love’ with his wife at first sight.
Speaking of the moment in 2015, Sir Richard wrote in a blog: “I fell in love with her from the first moment I saw her, while she worked in a bric-a-brac shop in Westbourne Grove, in London. A blonde-haired, down to earth, Scottish beauty who didn’t suffer fools, Joan was unlike any other women I had ever met.
“To win her heart, I had to persistently hang around the shop and buy countless objects before we started courting….” And he signed off by saying: “As the saying goes, behind every man there’s a great woman.
“Joan you are the greatest woman of all. Happy birthday and thank you for choosing to come on this adventure with me.”
