Sir Richard Branson’s family is mourning a tremendous loss.
The Virgin Group co-founder shared his wife of five decades Joan Templeman recently died in a statement reflecting on their life together. She was 80.
“Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away,” Richard, 75, wrote alongside a picture of Joan in a Nov. 25 Instagram post. “She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for.”
He continued, “She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan.”
Together, Richard and Joan—who got married in 1989—shared kids Holly and Sam. (Richard and Joan are also grandparents of Etta-Belle, Artie, Eva-Deia, and Bluey Rafe Richard Branson).
Following the news of Joan’s death, friends and colleagues shared sweet memories of spending time with her and the Branson family.
“Thinking of you, sir Richard,” Ian Somerhalder wrote in the comments. “She was so thoughtful and kind when I got to spend time with her on Necker Island. What an unimaginable loss brothers. Sending you and the family nothing but love.”
Christie Brinkley also offered a kind message to the family, writing, “Heartfelt condolences to you and your loved ones. May your happy memories comfort you.”
Days before sharing her death, Richard had given a glimpse into their earlier years, posting a throwback photo of him and Joan on Instagram Nov. 23, alongside the caption, “Love this photo of Joan.”
Though Richard’s work with the Virgin Group took him to new heights—quite literally after launching Virgin Galactic in 2004—Joan remained largely out of the spotlight.
Still, Richard previously gushed about the support she offered from the background.
“From the beginning Joan was a very private person, and the over four decades we have been together she has remained so,” he wrote on the Virgin blog in 2015 marking her 70th birthday. “She has always been keen to avoid the public eye, to the point that she has never given an interview—however, that just changed when she did her first ever interview for an upcoming film about my ballooning adventures. But while she has preferred to stay behind the scenes, she has always stood by me mentally, emotionally and spiritually.”
Expressing his continued love for his wife, Richard added, “As the saying goes, behind every man there's a great woman. Joan you are the greatest woman of all. Happy birthday and thank you for choosing to come on this adventure with me.”