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Joan Templeman, the wife of Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has died aged 80.
The couple were married for 50 years, sharing two children, Sam and Holly. They also welcomed another daughter, Clare Sarah, in 1979, but she passed away at just four-days-old.
Sir Branson shared the news of his wife’s passing through a statement on the social media, describing her as his “best friend” and “guiding light.”
“Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away,” he wrote. “She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for.
“Love you forever, Joan x.”
He didn’t state the cause of death.
Joan’s son, Sam Branson, also paid tribute to his mother, writing she was “the kindest, most loving, warm and abundantly generous woman to walk this Earth.”
He added, “I am so deeply grateful to have had the privilege of being your son and being able to call you mum.”
The love story of Sir Richard and Joan, which he often described as love at first sight, started in the 1970’s while Joan worked in a small bric-a-brac shop. According to the couple’s daughter, Holly, her dad “turned up at the shop every day for months, buying stuff he didn’t want or need.”
In her 2018 blog, Holly described her mother as “a stay-at-home mum who was (and still is) always there with a hug, inspiring words of wisdom, and a beautiful, welcoming smile.”
Sir Richard never missed a chance to remind everyone just how much he loved his wife. Honoring their wedding anniversary five years ago, he wrote he “fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her.
“Joan has always been a steady source of wisdom and has played no small part in some of my better life decisions,” he added.
Despite being the wife of one of the wealthiest men in the UK, Joan opted to stay out of the spotlight, taking care of her children and home.
Later in life, she turned to philanthropy and supported a number of charities, including premature birth charities, after their daughter died due to being born three months prematurely.
She and her husband signed the Giving Pledge in 2013, agreeing to give away most of their wealth during their lifetime. After losing multiple homes over the years, they said those experiences taught them that material possessions don’t truly matter.
“Even the loss of photo albums and notebooks were of little consequence,” Sir Richard wrote on the couple’s behalf.
“Family, friends, good health and the satisfaction that comes from making a positive difference are what really matters.”
At the time she had celebrated her 80th birthday this summer, Joan appeared to be in good health. Back then, Sir Richard posted a heartfelt tribute reflecting on their years together.
“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,” he wrote.
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