Joan Branson: Richard recalls exactly how long it took for him to fall for his wife

Joan Branson, the wife of British billionaire Richard Branson, has died at age 80 — and the founder of Virgin Atlantic airline called the woman his "guiding light, [his] world"

Sir Richard Branson fell for wife Joan "almost from the moment" he saw her, a resurfaced blog post says.

Joan has died aged 80 , leaving the founder of Virgin Atlantic airline heartbroken following their 50-year relationship. Excerpts from blogs and news articles were yesterday widely read online in the wake of the tragedy, and many paint an idyllic picture of the couple's marriage.

Sir Richard and Joan met 1976 and he became determined to woo her at the "bric-a-brac shop" where she worked in Westbourne Grove, west London. The businessman's relentless persistence paid off and the couple soon began their long