Sir Richard Branson has said his wife, Lady Joan, died “quickly and painlessly” as he shared a deeply personal tribute to his partner of 50 years.
The Virgin founder, 75, revealed on Tuesday that Joan, 80, had passed away.
In a heartfelt update on Wednesday, he explained that the couple, who had three children together, Sam, Holly and their firstborn, Sarah Clare, who died at four days old, had found themselves unexpectedly reunited in hospital in the days before her death.
Sir Richard had injured his shoulder during a trip to India, while Joan was recovering from a back injury.
“Life will never be the same without her. But we have fifty incredible years of memories - years filled with tears and laughter, kindness, and a love that shaped our family more than words could ever capture,” he wrote.
“As many already know, I'd come off my bike in India and hurt my shoulder. Joan was recovering from her own back injury in hospital in England.
“In the way life sometimes surprises you, I found myself moved to a room just down the corridor from her. We laughed together about how typical it was of us to end up on the same floor, like love-struck teenagers delighted to find each other again.”
He shared: “We had a lovely lunch that day. She was in positive spirits and getting stronger. She smiled at me, that radiant smile that lit up her whole face, the same smile I fell in love with the very first moment I saw her, half a century ago.
“Then suddenly, she was gone, quickly and painlessly. And thankfully, I was right by her side. It brings us all great comfort to know we were together.”
The businessman, who is now with their adult children, reflected on the family’s “incredible final year” with Joan, including her 80th birthday celebration in Morocco and Sam’s 40th aboard a Virgin Voyages ship.
“What an incredible final year we all had together. Her beautiful 80th birthday celebration at Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, surrounded by her closest friends; Sam's 40th celebrations onboard Virgin Voyages; countless moments where she was beaming with happiness,” he continued.
“She lived so fully and joyfully, always thinking of others, always lifting everyone else up. To see her so happy in those last months is something we will treasure forever.”
Branson signed off his tribute by calling Joan his “shining star”, adding: “We are devastated she is gone. But I am far more grateful for the extraordinary gift of the life we shared - with our remarkable kids, Sam and Holly, and our wonderful grandkids, who adored her (and her sweets!) just as deeply as I did.
“Joan was my everything, the shining star around which our family's universe has always orbited. That light is not gone; it's just taken on a new shape. It will guide us forward. And we will carry her with us, always.”
Their son Sam described Joan as “the kindest, most loving, warm, witty and abundantly generous woman to walk this Earth”, sharing a photograph of her with one of her grandchildren.
“You instantly made everyone in your presence feel like all was well with the world,” he wrote. “Thank you for all that you were to me, to our family and to everyone who was blessed by your graceful, loving presence.
“I am so deeply grateful to have had the privilege of being your son and being able to call you mum.
“Words cannot express how much I will miss you and how I wish you were still here to console me about the loss of you. But somehow you still are… and that is the magic of you. I love you to the moon and back. Forever and Ever.”
Family friend Heather Mills added her own message of condolence, writing: “There are very few words you can say to somebody in pain after loving someone they adore so much, so I thought I would say it with this song.
“Those who knew Joan will know what this means….to my dear Richard Branson and his family at this difficult time.”
Sir Richard and Lady Joan first met in 1976 and he has often said he “fell in love” the moment he saw her.
