Let’s talk about Lady Branson or Joan Templeman. She became Mrs. Branson when she married her long time partner, Branson on December 20, 1989 at Necker Island, the 74-acre island in the British Virgin Islands that Branson owns. The couple’s first child, a girl named Clare Sarah died when she was just four days old in 1979. Then Joan gave birth to daughter Holly in 1982 and son Sam Branson in 1985.
Joan Templeman who was born in Glasgow was in a previous relationship before her magnate husband came along. She was the childhood sweetheart of musician Ronnie Leahy. The topless model and Ronnie Leahy developed a relationship in their native hometown. They met in 1966 and Joan watched proudly as Ronnie’s first band, Stone The Crows, started to hit the big time. They married and moved to London where for the next 12 years Ronnie believed they had the perfect marriage.
They were married 12 or 13 years and having lots of fun until Sir Richard came along, according to Ronnie. Branson allegedly fell head over heals when he first stumbled into Joan in the kitchen of his Oxford shire recording complex in Shipton-on-Cherwell. Branson who pursued her immediately would show up while she worked at a shop near London’s trendy Portobello Road which sold Victorian posters and antiques. He even earned the nickname Tag, for his habit of asking if he could tag along with friends who were meeting Joan.
Joan is the daughter of a ship’s carpenter and grew up sharing a bed with six siblings but that didn’t stop her on becoming confident and chatty. Joan was unimpressed by his public school education and the millions he already had in the bank. And she certainly wasn’t interested in his pranks and business ventures but his relentless pursuit and flattery won Joan over he would swamp her with invitations while her husband while Ronnie would work next door in the studio. It was late in 1978 when she left Ronnie for Branson.
The couple returned to England and settled down to life on his houseboat in London’s Little Venice. Branson calls her
“fantastically adorable,” adding, “With Joan, I was searching for someone down-to-earth.”
They married after twelve years and two children together after allegedly his daughter Holly asked him to. Joan probably has mixed emotions on the reopening of the massive Necker Island mansion which burned down two years ago. After all is where the 68-year-old and mother of two tied the knot!
michael templeman says
just seen this and i am a bit took over.the templeman name is a rare clan and i did not think there was a lot of us.templetons are as common as lamposts but there ya go nice one there,s more of us…..
Ken White says
Hi Joan,
This is the only I hope that I can reach you.
I would like to have a book published before I pass on.
Do think Virgin books would do it?
A lot of my work is for Virgin.
Hope you get this.
Ken
Barry Ginsberg says
Ken..I appload your comments to get Mrs Bransons support in your book endeaver.I am writting one my self that I mention There Awesome Airline in my book
” Missing Moseley” After Flying Virgin Atlantic Airlines many times I never knew who did the art work and I Will offer my support in obtaining publishing as best as I can.All of my book proceed s is going to a non profit foundation to help homicide victims families with P.T.S D.
There is 6 million in usa and 2 million in United Kingdom suffering as I do since finding my mom Murdered four days before Christmas
Contact me if you would
Elmer Bausing says
Lady Joan Branson, I check the update on the “Virgin Earth Challenge” and was saddened a little with the result that a winner was chosen already. I didn’t get the chance to submit my entry. Is this, originally your idea, a one time challenge only? Would there be an ultimate challenge like the battle between David and Goliath. I have the stone that would hit to birds in one casting. A design that capture both carbon and heat at the same time. It would be very interesting should there be another challenge.
Pasca Ovidiu says
Happy birthday șir!!!
Pasca Ovidiu says
Happy birthday sir Branson!!!!
Alexandra says
Help me please Joan
Mark Wilkinson says
Hi Joan. I was wondering if you would like something fantastic. I have your uncle Tommy Simpsons RAF ( royal air force) identification book. He was my friend and he gave it to me before he passed away some years ago. They are priceless he often spoke of you and Richard. If you would like them or authenticate them please contact me.
Michele says
Re comments: What a load of old codswallop!