Richard Branson was married to someone else when he locked eyes with Joan. It sparked a lasting love story

Richard Branson was the head of a budding empire and married to someone else when he first laid eyes on Joan Templeman on February 7, 1976.

Branson, who had started a string of businesses, including selling mail-order records, before launching his own record label in 1971, first met Joan at The Manor, the live-in recording studio he built for Virgin Records.

Now, as he mourns his partner of almost 50 years, let's look back at the relationship of Branson, 75, and his second wife, whose death he announced today.

According to a 2020 post on his Virgin family blog to mark the 44th anniversary of that first meeting, Branson fell for Joan "the moment I saw her".

"I often make up my mind about someone within 30 seconds of meeting them, and I fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her," he wrote.

"Joan was a down-to-earth Scottish lady and I quickly realised she wouldn't be impressed by my usual antics."

At the time, Branson was married to his first wife Kristen Tomassi. The two had wed in 1972 when he was 21 and she was just 20.

READ MORE: Sir Richard Branson wife Joan dies aged 80

READ MORE: James Van Der Beek's wife gives update on star

READ MORE: Royals 'planning US tour' that will exclude Harry

He told The Guardian in 2014 of the marriage, "We were probably a bit too young. I'm still friends with my ex and her children get on well with mine".

Joan, who was five years older than Branson, was also married to her high school sweetheart.

Branson decided to pursue Joan by visiting the antique shop where she worked in Notting Hill – close to his Virgin Records office.

"One day, I hovered uncertainly outside the shop, then built up the courage to walk in," he said.

"The shop sold old signs and advertisements, which I pretended to the shop owner, Liz, that I was fascinated by.

"Over the next few weeks, my visits to Joan amassed me an impressive collection of old hand-painted tin signs, which advertised anything from Hovi bread to Woodbine cigarettes."

Branson lived on a houseboat at the time, and wrote that it was soon full of the signs, including one, which was a Danish Bacon poster featuring a pig saying, 'Now That's What I Call Music'.

"At the time, Virgin Records was launching a new compilation album series and we were trying to come up with a name," he wrote.

"The kitsch poster must have been etched in my mind as we brainstormed and settled on, 'Now That's What I Call Music!'.

"The phrase was catchy and it went on to become the biggest-selling album series in history.

"Far beyond record titles, I owe a lot to Joan."

Branson and Tomassi divorced in 1979 and he told The Guardian in 2014 it was Joan who decided they should have children.

She fell pregnant but their daughter Clare was born three months prematurely and tragically died when she was four days old.

During a 2009 episode of Piers Morgan's Life Stories, Branson spoke about his daughter's short life.

He recalled Clare being in an incubator while he and Joan spent their time "hoping and praying" she would survive, before adding it "wasn't to be".

"It was obviously horrendous for Joan. It was not good for me either," he said.

"For the mother, having gone throughout a whole pregnancy, it's absolutely ghastly."

He told The Guardian it was "a sad time" for the couple, which was only made better by the birth of another daughter in 1981.

"Having another child helped us heal. I was present for the birth of my daughter, Holly, which was an amazing experience," he said.

He told Piers Morgan's Life Stories, "The mending process takes time and I suspect it didn't really start until Holly was born some 18 months later.

"For myself, the moment Holly was born, that mending process was almost completed.

"I suspect for the mother it will never be complete."

The couple went on to welcome son Sam in 1985.

While Joan devoted herself to raising their children, Branson continued to build his empire, which included the Virgin Atlantic airline he launched in 1984.

But according to Branson, theirs was an equal partnership.

He wrote on his blog, "Joan has always been a steady source of wisdom and has played no small part in some of my better life decisions.

"In fact, I owe Necker island to Joan," he said of the 74-acre private island he bought in 1978.

"Two years after we had first met, I wanted to show Joan a grand gesture of affection.

"Upon hearing about a beautiful island in the British Virgin Islands up for sale, I called the people selling it to inquire.

"We were still in the early days of Virgin Records and I definitely did not have the cash to buy it – but try telling that to a fool in love."

He said the realtor offered to take them to see the island and "before we knew it, Joan and I were high in the sky, looking down over our future home".

"It was the second time I experienced love at first sight," he wrote.

"Together, we strolled around Necker Island and dreamed up plans for turning it into our home and a haven for musicians."

He said their dreams came crashing down when his offer of $100,000 was rejected.

They returned to live on his houseboat.

A year later, Necker island was still for sale and Branson upped his offer to $180,000, which was accepted.

"It was one of the best decisions I've ever made," he wrote.

"But the very best was when Joan and I got married on Necker... and it's still the place we call home."

The couple married in 1989 – 13 years after that first meeting, with their children by their side.

Branson wrote on his blog, "If I cast my mind back to that day at The Manor 44 years ago, I never could have imagined what the next four decades would bring, with a lifetime of love, wonderful children in Holly and Sam and our delightful grandchildren.

"I wouldn't have been able to do all it without Joan, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

"She's my wife of 30 years, partner of 44 years, the mother of our two wonderful children and my constant rock."

In the years that followed, Branson continued to celebrate his wife.

In July, he marked her milestone birthday with a post on social media.

"Happy 80th to my wonderful, wonderful wife. Thank you for being by my side through it all – the highs, the lows, and all those quiet, content, and peaceful moments in-between.

"These are the moments I cherish the most with you. I love you more and more each year."

Then in September, he shared what appeared to be a photo from her 80th birthday celebration along with the caption, "Always looking up at the stars with you".

More recently, he took to Instagram to share a series of posts paying tribute to Joan.

On November 13, he shared a throwback of himself with Joan that began, "I credit a good deal of my success – not to mention my marriage – to being a good listener."

On November 16, he took to Instagram to share a photo of him planting a kiss on Joan's head with the caption, "Everyone needs a Joan in their life".

Just two days ago, he shared a throwback photo of them together, writing "I love this photo of Joan".

It now appears the recent flood of tributes was a sign that all was not well, with Branson taking to social media today to announce his wife's death.

"Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away," the post began.

"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."

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.