Sir Richard Branson, the billionaire entrepreneur behind the Virgin Group empire, announced on Tuesday that his wife, Joan Templeman, has died at the age of 80.

“Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away,” Branson, 75, wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. “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.”

No cause of death has been disclosed.

The announcement comes shortly after Branson shared a photograph of himself kissing his wife’s head last week with the caption, “Everyone needs a Joan in their life,” and posted another image on Monday with the simple message, “Love this photo of Joan.” Templeman had celebr

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