Richard Branson says he is ‘heartbroken’ after death of wife Joan Templeman

Joan Templeman, longtime partner and wife of British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, has died at 80.

Branson announced her passing on Tuesday, calling her his “best friend” and “guiding light” of 50 years, and praising her as “the most wonderful mum and grandmum” their family could have wished for.

They married in 1989 on Necker Island and had three children: Holly, Sam and Sarah Clare, who died shortly after birth.

Despite Branson’s global profile, Templeman remained private, described by her husband as the emotional anchor who supported him “mentally, emotionally and spiritually.”

Their son Sam remembered her as “the kindest, most loving, warm and abundantly generous woman to walk this Earth.”

Her death marks the loss of a quiet but defining presence at the heart of the Branson family.