Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson said he is “heartbroken” as he announced his wife Joan Templeman has died.
The couple married in 1989 and share two children, Holly and Sam.
Writing on social media on Tuesday evening, Sir Richard said his wife was his “best friend” and “guiding light”.
The 75-year-old 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.
“She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.
“Love you forever, Joan x.”
In an article written for the Virgin website celebrating her 70th birthday, the entrepreneur previously said he fell in love with Ms Templeman “from the first moment I saw her” as she worked in a bric-a-brac shop in London’s Westbourne Grove.
Sir Richard recalled he had to “persistently hang around the shop and buy countless objects”, including an old advertising sign, before the pair started to date.
In the piece, the businessman said his wife was a “very private person” who had “always stood by me mentally, emotionally and spiritually”.
