Richard Branson fans rally after emotional message shared

Sir Richard, 75, famously owned the Mill House estate in Kidlington. He lived there for 20 years before selling the property to his children in 2013 and relocating primarily to Necker Island.

The entrepreneur took to social media last November to announce that his partner of 50 years, who he described as his “best friend” and “guiding light”, died aged 80.

(Image: PA)

Joan and Richard married in 1989 and share two children, Holly and Sam.

Sir Richard shared a post to Instagram on Monday of an old photo of his wife in her youth dancing, as he paid tribute to his wife on the first birthday since she died.

He said in his message: “Today would have been Joan’s 81st birthday. Keep dancing in the stars. We love you.”

The post, which was also shared to his Instagram story along with a white heart emoji, has been flooded with comments of support from well-wishers.

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The Bell Oxford, in Kidlington, said: “Thinking of you and the family today. Happy Heavenly birthday Joan.”

One person wrote: “Beautiful memories! Sending you all hugs as you celebrate Joan!”

Another said: “She will always be with you all.”

While a fourth added: “God love her she will be watching down on you and loving watching everything your doing as we who follow you do.”

The business mogul previously shared that he celebrated both his and his wife’s birthdays with their children on a trip to Venice in Italy, which was originally booked by their eldest child Holly to mark the occasions.

Sir Richard announced the death of his wife on November 25 2025, and said that he was “heartbroken” and would love her forever.

In an article written for the Virgin website celebrating her 70th birthday, the billionaire previously said he fell in love with Ms Templeman “from the first moment I saw her” as she worked in a bric-a-brac shop in London’s Westbourne Grove.

Sir Richard recalled he had to “persistently hang around the shop and buy countless objects”, including an old advertising sign, before the pair started to date.

In the piece, the businessman said his wife was a “very private person” who had “always stood by me mentally, emotionally and spiritually”.