Joan Templeman, wife of Sir Richard Branson and his partner for nearly half a century, has died aged 80. Branson confirmed the news on social media, describing himself as “heartbroken” and paying tribute to Templeman as “my best friend, my rock, my light and my world”. He added that her passing had been swift and painless, and that he was able to say goodbye to her in hospital, where both had been receiving treatment for health problems.
Templeman and Branson met in 1976 and married in 1989 on Necker Island, the entrepreneur’s private Caribbean retreat. The couple had three children. While Branson became one of the most recognisable business figures of his generation, Templeman maintained a quieter profile, deliberately keeping her distance from the media glare.
The pair shared a long-standing affection for Mallorca, a place Branson has visited since childhood and which evolved into one of his most cherished sanctuaries. They spent extended periods in the Serra de Tramuntana, particularly at the Son Bunyola estate in Banyalbufar. Its hotel project, finally inaugurated in 2023, was described by Branson as the realisation of a lifelong ambition.
They were also familiar faces in Deya, where Branson previously owned the hotel La Residencia, an establishment credited with helping to draw international attention to the village’s allure. During their stays, Templeman was said to relish the tranquillity of the island, its Mediterranean scenery and the privacy it afforded the family.
For the couple, Mallorca was far more than a holiday destination. It became a place of deep emotional resonance — a quiet refuge where they could withdraw from the relentless demands of public life and spend time together away from the spotlight.