Richard Branson

$2.81 B

Ranked #1458 in World

About Richard Branson

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson, born on July 18, 1950, in Blackheath, London, is a renowned British entrepreneur and philanthropist. He founded Virgin Records in 1972, which later expanded into the Virgin Group and encompasses various industries, including airlines (Virgin Atlantic), railways (Virgin Rail Group), mobile phones (Virgin Mobile), and space travel (Virgin Galactic). Branson is known for his risk-taking and innovative business strategies. He has also actively engaged in philanthropy, focusing on environmental sustainability, healthcare, and education. With an estimated net worth of $3 billion, Branson is regarded as one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the world.

Born

July 18, 1950 in London, England

Age

75 years

Source Of Wealth

Virgin

Industries

Diversified

Citizenship

United Kingdom

Residence

Necker Island

Education

Drop Out, High School

Spouse

Kristen Tomassi (Married: 1972; Divorced: 1979), Joan Templeman (Married: 1989)

Children

3 (1 deceased)

Parent

Eve Branson (mother)

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson was born on July 18, 1950, in Blackheath, London. His father, Edward James Branson, was a barrister, and his mother, Evette Huntley Branson, was a former ballet dancer and air hostess. Richard has two younger sisters, Lindy and Vanessa.

Richard attended Scaitcliffe School, Cliff View House School, and Stowe School. He struggled academically and was diagnosed with dyslexia. Despite his learning difficulties, Richard showed an early interest in business and entrepreneurship. His headmaster famously predicted that he would either end up in prison or become a millionaire.

Richard Branson: Family

Richard Branson has been married twice. His first marriage was to Kristen Tomassi in 1972, but the couple later divorced. In 1989, he married Joan Templeman, with whom he has three children: Holly, Sam, and Clare.

Richard Branson is known for his close relationships with his family members. He often involves them in his business ventures and philanthropic endeavors. His children have also followed in his footsteps, pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and social impact.

Richard Branson: Career Highlights

Richard Branson's career is marked by a series of bold ventures and innovative business strategies. Here are some of his notable career highlights:

Launched Student magazine in 1966 with Nik Powell.
Started a mail-order record business from the same church where Student was based.
Founded Virgin Records in 1972 with Nik Powell.
Signed controversial bands like the Sex Pistols and became the world's largest independent record label.
Expanded into various industries, including airlines (Virgin Atlantic), railways (Virgin Rail Group), mobile phones (Virgin Mobile), and space travel (Virgin Galactic).

Richard Branson: Companies

Richard Branson is the founder and chairman of the Virgin Group, a global conglomerate that encompasses over 400 companies in various industries. Some of the notable companies within the Virgin Group include:

Virgin Records
Virgin Atlantic Airways
Virgin Mobile
Virgin Galactic
Virgin Health Bank
Virgin Hotels
Virgin Active
Virgin Media
Virgin Money
Virgin Wines

Richard Branson: Major Achievements

Richard Branson has achieved remarkable success in various fields, including business, adventure, and philanthropy.

Some of his major achievements include:

Building Virgin Group into a global conglomerate with over 400 companies.
Successfully launching Virgin Atlantic Airways and challenging the dominance of British Airways.
Breaking several world records, including crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a hot air balloon and circumnavigating the globe in a hot air balloon.
Establishing the Virgin Foundation to support various charitable causes.
Co-founding The Elders, a group of global leaders working to solve conflicts.
Making a $3 billion pledge to address global warming over the following decade.

Richard Branson: Awards & Achievements

Richard Branson has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to business, philanthropy, and adventure. Some of his notable awards include:

Knighthood for services to entrepreneurship (2000).
Tony Jannus Award for outstanding achievement in commercial air transportation (1993).
United Nations Correspondents Association Citizen of the World Award (2007).
GQ Man of the Year Award (1993).
Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award (1999).
Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World (2007).

Richard Branson: Personal Life & Legacy

Richard Branson is known for his adventurous spirit, love of extreme sports, and commitment to philanthropy. He has faced personal tragedies, including the loss of his daughter Clare Sarah and the destruction of his Necker Island home due to hurricanes.

Despite these challenges, Richard Branson remains an influential figure in business, adventure, and philanthropy. His legacy is one of innovation, risk-taking, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

Richard Branson: Trivia

Richard Branson is a licensed pilot and has flown many of Virgin Atlantic's inaugural flights.
He has a cameo appearance in the Spice Girls movie "Spice World" (1997).
Branson is a vegetarian and has promoted plant-based diets for environmental and health reasons.
He is a supporter of space tourism and believes that it will revolutionize space exploration.

Branson is an avid adventurer and has participated in various extreme sports, including kiteboarding, mountain climbing, and skydiving.

Wealth History

Timeline

July 18, 1950

Born in Blackheath, London, England.

1966

Launched Student magazine with Nik Powell.

1971

Convicted of tax evasion and briefly jailed for fraudulently obtaining export documents.

1972

Founded Virgin Records with Nik Powell.

1984

Established Virgin Atlantic Airways.

1985

Attempted to break the Atlantic Ocean crossing record by boat.

1986

Succeeded in breaking the Atlantic Ocean crossing record by boat.

1989

Married Joan Templeman.

1991

Crossed the Pacific Ocean in a hot air balloon, setting a speed record.

1995-1998

Made several attempts to circumnavigate the globe by balloon.

1998

Released his autobiography, "Losing My Virginity," which became an international bestseller.

1999

Launched Virgin Mobile and became a founding sponsor of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC).

2000

Knighted for services to entrepreneurship.

2004

Established the Virgin Foundation and starred in a reality television show called "The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best."

2006

Made a $3 billion pledge to address global warming over the following decade.

2007

Co-founded The Elders, a group of global leaders working to solve conflicts, and launched the Virgin Earth Challenge, offering a $25 million prize for a commercially viable solution to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

2008

Established the Carbon War Room, focusing on solutions for global warming and the energy crisis.

2009

Launched Virgin Startup, providing loans to young entrepreneurs in the UK.

2010

Set up the Branson School of Entrepreneurship in South Africa to support start-ups and micro-enterprises.

2013

Released the book "Like a Virgin: Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business School."

2014

Released the book "The Virgin Way: How to Listen, Learn, Laugh and Lead."

2017

Released the book "Finding My Virginity."

Richard Branson : FAQs

What is Richard Branson's current net worth?

Richard Branson's current net worth is $2.81 billion.

What is Richard Branson's current global rank among billionaires?

Richard Branson holds the 1458th position globally among billionaires.

What is Richard Branson's current ranking within the United Kingdom?

Richard Branson holds the 26th position in United Kingdom.

What was the change in Richard Branson's net worth compared to the previous year?

Richard Branson's net worth decreased by 9.3 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 2.82 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Richard Branson's net worth?

Richard Branson's net worth increased by 0.4 million dollars recently, a 0.01% increase, with his net worth standing at 2.81 billion dollars.

What are Richard Branson's main sources of wealth?

Richard Branson's main source of income comes from Virgin.

In which industry does Richard Branson primarily operate?

Richard Branson is primarily involved in the Diversified industry.

What is Richard Branson educational background?

Richard Branson is a dropout from High School.

How old is Richard Branson?

Richard Branson is 75 years old.

How many children does Richard Branson have?

Richard Branson has 2 children.

When and where was Richard Branson born?

Richard Branson was born on July 18, 1950, in Blackheath, London.

What are some of Richard Branson's failed business ventures?

Richard Branson has experienced several failed business ventures, including Virgin Cola, Virgin Cars, Virgin Publishing, Virgin Clothing, and Virgin Brides.

What are some of Richard Branson's key achievements in business?

Some of Richard Branson's key achievements in business include founding Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin Mobile, Virgin Galactic, and Virgin Health Bank.

What are some of Richard Branson's interests?

Richard Branson's interests include humanitarian issues, ecological issues, creative thinking, and youth empowerment.