Joan Templeman death reason: Richard Branson’s wife died after blood clot in lungs; full inquest may reveal what happened

Lady Joan Branson, the wife of billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, died after suffering a blood clot in her lungs, reports claimed citing a pre-inquest.

Joan Branson, 80, died on November 24 last year at Lister Hospital in Chelsea, west London. A pre-inquest hearing heard that the immediate cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) considered the likely cause.

A full inquest into her death is scheduled to take place on September 9, when witnesses are expected to give evidence about the circumstances surrounding her death.


The inquest is also expected to examine what happened after Lady Branson suffered an earlier fall and whether it played a role in the events leading to her death.

Richard Branson’s tribute to his wife of 50 years

When Joan died, Richard Branson announced the news in an emotional tribute, describing her as his wife, partner and best friend.

“Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away,” Branson wrote.

He described Joan as “the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for,” adding that she was “my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.”

At the time, the cause of her death had not been publicly disclosed.

Just two days before announcing her death, Branson had shared a throwback photograph of the couple, writing: “Love this photo of Joan.”

He had also celebrated Joan's 80th birthday in July with a series of photographs and a heartfelt message.

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

Richard Branson fell for Joan almost instantly

Branson's relationship with Joan stretched back nearly five decades.

The couple first met in 1976, when Joan was working at a bric-a-brac shop called Dodo in Westbourne Grove, London. The shop was located in Notting Hill, close to Branson's Virgin office.

Branson later recalled that he was immediately attracted to 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 in a 2020 blog post.

But winning her over wasn't easy.

Branson recalled Joan as a “blonde-haired, down-to-earth Scottish beauty” who “didn’t suffer fools.” Realising his usual charm wasn't enough, he began repeatedly visiting the shop and buying objects in an attempt to capture her attention.

Among the items he bought was an old advertising sign featuring a pig and a hen, with the words “Now, that’s what I call music.”

Branson later said the phrase stayed in his mind when Virgin Records was developing a new compilation album series. The team eventually settled on Now That's What I Call Music!, which went on to become one of the world's biggest-selling music compilation brands.

The $180,000 island Branson bought for Joan

Their romance also inspired one of Branson's biggest gestures.

In 1978, about two years after meeting Joan, Branson learned that Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands was for sale.

He didn't have the money to buy it at the time, but that didn't stop him from pursuing the deal.

“Upon hearing about a beautiful island in the British Virgin Islands up for sale, I called the people selling it to enquire,” Branson recalled. “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!”

Branson eventually bought Necker Island for about $180,000.

He and Joan married in 1989 in a beach ceremony on the island.

Over the years, Branson repeatedly described Joan as the person who supported him through his business ventures and family life.

The couple had two children, Holly and Sam, and later became grandparents to three grandchildren.

In one of his tributes to Joan, Branson wrote: “Joan is my rock, my confidant and my guiding light.”

He added: “As the saying goes, behind every man there’s a great woman. Joan, you are the greatest woman of all.”