Sir Richard Branson has shared the twist of “fate” that allowed him to be at his wife Joan’s side just before she died.
The Virgin founder, 75, announced on Tuesday that his partner of 50 years had passed away aged 80.
He has now revealed how he wound up at the same hospital as Joan in London after falling off his bike during the charity event, the Strive Challenge, in India.
The tycoon had been at the Taj Mahal, but hours later ended up in a hospital room “just down the corridor” from Joan due to a shoulder injury. Joan was in a different room recovering from a back injury.
Branson recalled how they had a “lovely lunch” that day, laughing like “love-struck teenagers”, and Joan died “quickly and painlessly” soon after.
“Fate has a strange way of working,” he wrote in an emotional Instagram post.
The entrepreneur went on: “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.”
Branson recalled: “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.”
Branson confirmed Joan’s death on Tuesday, calling her “my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world”.
“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.”
The couple married on Necker Island in 1989 and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary ten years ago.
The pair shared three children - Holly, Sam and Clare, who tragically died shortly after birth - and multiple grandchildren.
Branson frequently paid tribute to Joan’s steadfast support throughout his career.
He marked her 80th birthday in July with a heartfelt message thanking her for standing by him through “the highs, the lows, and all those quiet, content and peaceful moments in-between”.
He shared a sweet photo of them together just days before her death, writing: “Everyone needs a Joan in their life.”
