Richard Branson reveals wife’s final hours in heartbreaking new post

A simple twist of fate meant Richard Branson was able to be by his wife’s side for her final hours, he’s revealed in a heartbreaking new post.

Sir Richard Branson fell off his bike during a charity event in India – but in a twist of fate this allowed him to be by his wife’s side when she died.

In a heartbreaking Instagram post, Richard, 75, shared how he was “right by her side’ for Joan’s final hours.

“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.”

Branson said his wife was in “positive spirits” before her passing. Picture: John Salangsang/Invision/AP

The billionaire recalled they shared a “lovely lunch” and Joan was in “positive spirits”.

“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,” he explained.

Richard paid tribute to “an incredible final year we all had together”.

This comes after the billionaire posted an emotional tribute to Joan, 80, as he confirmed the sad news.

He wrote: “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.”

Love story

The couple were together for almost 50 years. Picture: Getty

The inspirational couple met in 1976, and it was love at first sight, according to the British entrepreneur.

He shared in 2020 how he “fell for Joan the moment I saw her” in a loved-up confessional.

His future wife was working in an antiques shop called Dodo in Notting Hill at the time.

Sir Richard’s first impression of his future wife was “a down-to-earth Scottish lady” who, he immediately realised, “wouldn’t be impressed by my usual antics”.

However, Joan was already married at the time to her childhood sweetheart, Ronnie Leahy, after they tied the knot in 1966.

But Sir Richard got his hopes up, two years after initially meeting Joan, when she divorced Leahy.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t smooth sailing for the billionaire.

They eventually wed in 1989.

He revealed he was forced to chase Joan in order to win her heart.

She playfully christened him with the nickname “Tagalong” as he continued to pursue her.

He even admitted that he bought a whole island – Necker Island, where he lives to this day – purely to woo Joan.

But his persistence paid off and the couple eventually married in 1989 on his Necker Island in the Caribbean Sea.

They welcomed daughter Holly, 44, son, Sam, 40, and went on to enjoy five grandchildren – Etta, Artie, Lola, Eva-Deia and Bluey.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Richard Branson reveals wife’s final hours in heartbreaking new post