Sir Richard Branson 'heartbroken' as wife Joan dies aged 80

Getty Images Joan Templeman And Sir Richard Branson Look Towards The Camera. She Has Long Blonde Hair And A Dark Blouse. Branson Has Long Light Hair, A Beard, A White Shirt, And A Brown Leather Jacket.

Sir Richard Branson has said he is “heartbroken” by the death of his wife Joan, aged 80.

The couple, who married in 1989, had three children and five grandchildren.

In a post on Instagram, the Virgin Group founder said his wife was his “best friend” and his “guiding light.”

“She was the most wonderful mother and grandmother our children and grandchildren could have asked for,” the 75-year-old wrote.

The businessman did not say what caused his death.

In his post, Sir Richard wrote: “Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner of 50 years, has passed away.”

He added: “She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. I will love you forever, Joan x.”

The couple married on Sir Richard’s Necker Island in the Caribbean and had three children, Holly, Sam and Clare Sarah, who died after four days.

Paying tribute to his mother, Sam Branson described her as “the kindest, most loving, warmest and most abundantly generous woman to ever walk this Earth.”

“I am deeply grateful to have had the privilege of being your son and being able to call you mom,” he added.

Ywaaaaaaqabaaacauwaow== | Stuff Unknown — Sir Richard Branson and Lady Branson with their daughter Holly Branson and the tycoon’s mother Eve Branson

Getty Images Sir Richard Branson, His Wife Joan Branson, His Daughter Holly Branson And His Mother Eve Branson Attend A Private Viewing Of Virgin Records: 40 Years Of Disruptions — Sir Richard Branson and Lady Branson with their daughter Holly Branson and the tycoon’s mother Eve Branson

In 2018, Holly blogged that her mother grew up in central Glasgow and worked in a pawn shop and later in a London trinket shop on Portobello Road in west London.

He said it was there that his father first fell in love with Lady Branson and “appeared in the store every day for months, buying things he didn’t want or need.”

Holly described her mother as “a homemaker who was (and still is) always there with a hug, inspiring words of wisdom and a beautiful, welcoming smile.”

In a blog to mark their wedding anniversary five years ago, Sir Richard said he “fell in love with Joan almost from the moment I saw her”.

“Joan has always been a constant source of wisdom and has played no small part in some of the best decisions of my life,” he added.

Sir Richard is one of the UK’s most successful businessmen.

He founded Virgin Records in the 1970s, before his group expanded into other industries, such as air travel, broadband and space tourism.