Sir Richard Branson’s spouse’s reason for loss of life revealed as inquest opens
Lady Joan Branson, wife of Sir Richard Branson, died from a blood clot in November last year following a fall, and an inquest will be held later this year to examine the circumstances
Sir Richard Branson and his wife Lady Joan Sarah Drummond Branson(Image: WireImage)
Sir Richard Branson’s wife, Lady Joan Sarah Drummond Branso’s cause of death has been disclosed following the family tragedy. Lady Joan, 80, passed away from a blood clot on 24 November last year at London Bridge Hospital due to complications after a fall-induced back injury two weeks prior.
At a pre-inquest review hearing, Sir Richard and Joan’s daughter Holly, 44, stated the family was not seeking to attribute blame for her death. However, an inquest scheduled for later this year will examine whether Lady Branson should have been prescribed blood thinners and if she was wearing anti-clot stockings at the time of her passing.
Speaking at the hearing at Inner West London Coroners’ Court, Holly said: “I believe mum had great care. The doctors saved her life three years ago, giving us all three more years together. We just want to help other families if there are any lessons to be learned.”
Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox informed the court that the forthcoming inquest would determine whether or not Lady Branson was wearing Thrombo-Embolus Deterrent – or TED – stockings, which lower the risk of blood clots and are worn by patients during periods of inactivity.
Prof Wilcox told the court that statements from an expert witness would be required to ascertain whether a prescription of the anti-coagulant Heparin “would have prevented Lady Branson’s death”, given her previous history of clots, reports the Mirror.
A specialist haematologist is set to present a report of their findings at the inquest, due to take place in September. Joan’s history with blood clots dates back to at least 2010. In 2018, Sir Richard revealed that around eight years prior, Joan had awoken one morning to find her leg had swollen to three times its normal size, leading to her undergoing an innovative new treatment.
She had experienced a series of clots from her ankle up to her groin – the “worst case” the doctors at that hospital had ever encountered. Sir Richard said: “She was in great danger of a pulmonary embolism, as bits of the clot threatened to break away and travel to her lungs.
“The doctors put her on a drug called Warfarin, pulled a compression stocking over her leg and told her that over a number of years the leg would gradually improve, but that at any stage she might suffer a major pulmonary embolism that could kill her.”
However, she underwent surgery that placed a tiny umbrella inside her leg so that if any clot did break off, it couldn’t reach her lungs. “Two days later, she nearly skipped out of the building!” he added. Sir Richard was in the same hospital as his wife when she passed away, having injured his shoulder in a bike fall in India.
He revealed his wife’s death on Instagram on November 25 last year. He said: “Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away. 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”
The following day, on virgin.com, he penned a more extensive tribute. He said: “Joan was the most wonderful partner, friend, mum and grandmother we could ever have wished for. Holly, Sam and I are all together now, doing our best to smile through the tears and to focus on all the good things she brought into our world. There are so many.
“We had a lovely lunch that day. She was in positive spirits and getting stronger. She smiled at me, that radiant smile that lit up her whole face, the same smile I fell in love with the very first moment I saw her, half a century ago. Then suddenly, she was gone, quickly and painlessly. And thankfully, I was right by her side. It brings us all great comfort to know we were together.”
Sir Richard and Joan’s romance commenced in 1976, when the budding entrepreneur encountered the then Joan Templeman at The Manor, the residential recording studio he had constructed for Virgin Records.
She was employed at an antiques boutique called Dodo in Notting Hill, near the Virgin headquarters. Glasgow-born Joan was a former model, at the centre of Swinging London’s buzzing music and fashion scene. Sir Richard found reasons to pop into her shop, building up an enormous collection of antiques he didn’t actually require.
At the time, Joan remained wed to her first husband, rock pianist Ronnie Leahy, and the duo began an affair. Joan needed some convincing during the charm offensive, but Sir Richard’s determination – extravagant presents, spontaneous getaways, even stopping a taxiing aircraft at Heathrow to sweep her aboard – eventually broke down her resistance.
Heartbreak hit when Sir Richard and Joan’s first child, Clare Sarah, was stillborn in 1979. Joan would later champion premature birth charities as part of her charitable endeavours in later life. The couple’s children Holly and Sam arrived in 1981 and 1985. Joan’s four grandchildren also survive her.
