Sir Richard Branson honored his late wife Joan in the British Virgin Islands on New Year’s Eve, marking six weeks since her passing under the luminous “brightest moon of the year.”
The Virgin business magnate lost his wife of 36 years in November, following her hospitalization for a back injury. Joan, aged 80 at the time of her death, passed away suddenly and peacefully, though the exact cause remains undisclosed.
In a tribute to his wife’s ethereal presence, Branson, along with their children and close ones, walked solemnly across the sandy dunes of Necker Island, all dressed in white. Necker Island, a luxurious 74-acre private retreat in the British Virgin Islands, was purchased by Richard and Joan for $180,000 in 1979.
Despite his injured arm, Branson delivered a heartfelt speech about his cherished wife, as the gathering raised champagne to honor her memory at the very spot where they exchanged vows in 1989. Posting snapshots on social media, the 75-year-old entrepreneur expressed, “My family and I have always believed in celebrating people’s lives, both in their presence and in their absence. That’s exactly what we did for Joan.”
In a touching tribute, Branson reminisced about meeting Joan in 1979 at an antique sign shop in Notting Hill, describing her as the central figure in their family’s universe. Their daughter, Holly, lauded her mother’s unconditional love and recounted the profound impact Joan had on their lives.
Reflecting on the loss, Holly shared her deep gratitude for her remarkable mother’s love and kindness, vowing to emulate her virtues daily. The family continues to cherish Joan’s memory and draw strength from her enduring presence.
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