The Virgin billionaire, 75, announced last month that his beloved wife and partner of 50 years had passed away
Heartbroken Richard Branson has shared an update with followers after the death of his beloved wife Joan. The Virgin billionaire, 75, announced last month that his wife and partner of 50 years had passed away – saying she was “my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world”.
Yesterday he issued an update thanking fans and adding: “We’re the kind of family that now just want to celebrate Joan and the wonderful life she lived.” Richard and Joan married in 1989 on his private Necker Island and had three children – Holly, Sam, and Clare Sarah, who died after four days – as well as five grandchildren.
Posting two pictures of him and Joan together, Richard wrote: “Thank you to everyone who has shared such kind messages about Joan. Our whole family are so touched by the outpouring of love. It brings us great comfort and it means so much to us all. We’re the kind of family that now just want to celebrate Joan and the wonderful life she lived.
“I feel so fortunate to have met her all those years ago. She was just a joy to be around – as so many of your messages reiterated. Sending big hugs to everyone who has been in contact. And to anyone who has lost a family member recently, our thoughts (and Joan’s thoughts, I’m sure) are with you as well.”
The post was liked tens of thousands of times with followers including Natalie Imbruglia sending their best wishes. The singer wrote: “So much love to you and the family Richard… love all the happy, funny stories shared of Joan. So much Joy!!! She is one in a million.”
Announcing Joan’s death on 25 November this year, he wrote a short message that read: “Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.
“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.”
Richard later opened up about a strange coincidence that saw them able to spend her final days together after ending up in nearby rooms in the same hospital. He explained: “Holly, Sam and I are all together now, doing our best to smile through the tears and to focus on all the good things Joan brought into our world. There are so many.
“Fate has a strange way of working. 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.
“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.”
The businessman later shared a picture of a picture of Joan in a monastery in Bhutan saying he was “incredibly touched” by the gesture. Richard wrote: “Thank you so much to everyone who has been in touch and shown so much love for Joan and our family over the past few days. It means the world to us.
Source: Mirror
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