Joan Templeman, wife of business magnate Sir Richard Branson, has died at the age of 80.
Sir Richard confirmed the news on social media today.
"Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away," he wrote.
"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."
Writing in 2020, Sir Richard said the pair met at The Manor, the live-in recording studio built for Virgin Records.
"I often make up my mind about someone within 30 seconds of meetings them, and I fell for Joan almost from the moment I saw her. Joan was a down-to-earth Scottish lady and I quickly realised she wouldn’t be impressed by my usual antics."
He said she had always been a "steady source of wisdom" and played "no small part in some of my better life decisions".
The pair married in 1989 and have two adult children, Holly and Sam. They lost an infant daughter - Clare Sarah - who lived just four days.
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