Richard Branson Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research
4 minute read
Updated 5:35 PM EDT, Thu July 6, 2023
Richard Branson, seen here at an air show in 2012, is a self-made billionaire who has a large conglomerate of businesses under the Virgin brand.
Richard Branson, seen here at an air show in 2012, is a self-made billionaire who has a large conglomerate of businesses under the Virgin brand.
Luke MacGregor/Reuters
A young Branson is seen in London in 1969. At the age of 16, Branson dropped out of school and started an alternative youth magazine called Student. He and his friend Nik Powell also started a mail-order record business. It was called Virgin because they were new to the business world.
A young Branson is seen in London in 1969. At the age of 16, Branson dropped out of school and started an alternative youth magazine called Student. He and his friend Nik Powell also started a mail-order record business. It was called Virgin because they were new to the business world.
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Branson poses in one of his Virgin Megastores in 1979. His mail-order record business had evolved into a chain of successful record stores. By this time, Branson also had started his Virgin Records music label. Over the years, Virgin would sign notable artists such as the Sex Pistols, the Rolling Stones and Genesis.
Branson poses in one of his Virgin Megastores in 1979. His mail-order record business had evolved into a chain of successful record stores. By this time, Branson also had started his Virgin Records music label. Over the years, Virgin would sign notable artists such as the Sex Pistols, the Rolling Stones and Genesis.
Bill Rowntree/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
Branson reads the newspaper in a bathtub aboard his houseboat in London in 1984.
Branson reads the newspaper in a bathtub aboard his houseboat in London in 1984.
Michael Ward/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
In 1984. Branson formed the airline Virgin Atlantic. He got the idea after becoming stranded in Puerto Rico when his flight to the British Virgin Islands was canceled because of a lack of passengers. He chartered a private plane and sold tickets aboard the flight to other stranded travelers.
In 1984. Branson formed the airline Virgin Atlantic. He got the idea after becoming stranded in Puerto Rico when his flight to the British Virgin Islands was canceled because of a lack of passengers. He chartered a private plane and sold tickets aboard the flight to other stranded travelers.
Terence Spencer/Camera Press/Redux
Branson inaugurates his new airline on June 22, 1984.
Branson inaugurates his new airline on June 22, 1984.
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Branson pilots his speedboat, the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II, in New York Harbor in 1986. He zipped across the Atlantic in a record-breaking time of three days, eight hours and 31 minutes. He tried to break the record a year earlier, but his $2 million vessel sank.
Branson pilots his speedboat, the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II, in New York Harbor in 1986. He zipped across the Atlantic in a record-breaking time of three days, eight hours and 31 minutes. He tried to break the record a year earlier, but his $2 million vessel sank.
David Bookstaver/AP
Branson is seen with his wife, Joan, and their children, Holly and Sam, after they were married on the Caribbean island of Neckar in 1989. The island, part of the British Virgin Islands, was purchased by Branson and is operated as a luxury resort.
Branson is seen with his wife, Joan, and their children, Holly and Sam, after they were married on the Caribbean island of Neckar in 1989. The island, part of the British Virgin Islands, was purchased by Branson and is operated as a luxury resort.
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Branson poses with his parents, Eve and Edward, at a reception in Los Angeles in 1991. His mother was a flight attendant and his father was a lawyer.
Branson poses with his parents, Eve and Edward, at a reception in Los Angeles in 1991. His mother was a flight attendant and his father was a lawyer.
Paul Harris/Getty Images
Branson and Per Lindstrand sit in a capsule as they prepare to fly in a hot-air balloon in 1991. In 1987, Branson and Lindstrand became the first people to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a hot-air balloon.
Branson and Per Lindstrand sit in a capsule as they prepare to fly in a hot-air balloon in 1991. In 1987, Branson and Lindstrand became the first people to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a hot-air balloon.
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Branson is seen in his office in London in 1996. In 1992, he sold his Virgin Music Group to Thorn EMI. He said the sale would allow him to concentrate on his airline.
Branson is seen in his office in London in 1996. In 1992, he sold his Virgin Music Group to Thorn EMI. He said the sale would allow him to concentrate on his airline.
Pool/AP
Branson fires up a Virgin balloon outside the city walls of Marrakesh, Morocco, in 1996.
Branson fires up a Virgin balloon outside the city walls of Marrakesh, Morocco, in 1996.
Neil Munns/PA Images/Getty Images
Branson cuddles with a young lion cub at South Africa's Sun City resort in 1996.
Branson cuddles with a young lion cub at South Africa's Sun City resort in 1996.
Adam Butler/PA Images/Getty Images
Branson applies makeup before the launch of his Virgin Brides venture in 1996. The business combined weddings and honeymoons in a one-stop shop.
Branson applies makeup before the launch of his Virgin Brides venture in 1996. The business combined weddings and honeymoons in a one-stop shop.
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US Coast Guard helicopters head back to the Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii after rescuing Branson and his co-pilots following a hot-air balloon crash in 1998. Branson and his co-pilots were attempting to fly around the world in a hot-air balloon. They started in Morocco and passed through Asia before eventually crash-landing in Hawaii. No one was hurt.
US Coast Guard helicopters head back to the Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii after rescuing Branson and his co-pilots following a hot-air balloon crash in 1998. Branson and his co-pilots were attempting to fly around the world in a hot-air balloon. They started in Morocco and passed through Asia before eventually crash-landing in Hawaii. No one was hurt.
STR/Reuters
In 1999, Branson celebrates Virgin Atlantic's inaugural flight to Shanghai, China.
In 1999, Branson celebrates Virgin Atlantic's inaugural flight to Shanghai, China.
Thierry Boccon-Gibod/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Branson is kissed by his wife, Joan, and his daughter Holly after he was knighted in 2000 for his "service to entrepreneurship."
Branson is kissed by his wife, Joan, and his daughter Holly after he was knighted in 2000 for his "service to entrepreneurship."
John Stillwell/PA Images/Getty Images
Branson poses for photos in India after launching a direct flight from London to New Delhi in 2000.
Branson poses for photos in India after launching a direct flight from London to New Delhi in 2000.
Thierry Boccon-Gibod/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Branson launches Virgin Mobile USA, a cellular phone service, at New York's Times Square in 2002.
Branson launches Virgin Mobile USA, a cellular phone service, at New York's Times Square in 2002.
Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Branson, left, pilots an amphibious vehicle during a record-breaking crossing of the English Channel in 2004. He crossed the channel in one hour, 40 minutes and six seconds.
Branson, left, pilots an amphibious vehicle during a record-breaking crossing of the English Channel in 2004. He crossed the channel in one hour, 40 minutes and six seconds.
Carl De Souza/Getty Images
Branson unveils the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, a single-engine jet that Steve Fossett would later fly around the world in a little more than 67 hours.
Branson unveils the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, a single-engine jet that Steve Fossett would later fly around the world in a little more than 67 hours.
Carlos Chavez/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Branson runs with the Olympic torch in London in 2004, ahead of the Olympic Games that year in Athens, Greece.
Branson runs with the Olympic torch in London in 2004, ahead of the Olympic Games that year in Athens, Greece.
Chris Trotman/Getty Images
Branson announced his space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic, in 2004.
Branson announced his space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic, in 2004.
Fiona Hanson/PA Images/Reuters
Branson kisses Steve Fossett after Fossett flew the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer for 25,766 miles in 2006. It was the longest nonstop flight in history.
Branson kisses Steve Fossett after Fossett flew the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer for 25,766 miles in 2006. It was the longest nonstop flight in history.
Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
Branson appears in an episode of the TV show "Friends" in 2006.
Branson appears in an episode of the TV show "Friends" in 2006.
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Branson and former US Vice President Al Gore announce the Virgin Earth Challenge in 2007. The Virgin Earth Challenge was a $25 million prize to be awarded to an individual or a group who could demonstrate a commercially viable design to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and safely store them. The prize was never awarded, as Virgin said no entries satisfied all of the prize criteria, and the challenge is no longer active.
Branson and former US Vice President Al Gore announce the Virgin Earth Challenge in 2007. The Virgin Earth Challenge was a $25 million prize to be awarded to an individual or a group who could demonstrate a commercially viable design to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and safely store them. The prize was never awarded, as Virgin said no entries satisfied all of the prize criteria, and the challenge is no longer active.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Branson jumps off the roof of the Palms hotel in Las Vegas as part of a publicity stunt for his Virgin America airline in 2007.
Branson jumps off the roof of the Palms hotel in Las Vegas as part of a publicity stunt for his Virgin America airline in 2007.
Denise Truscello/WireImage/Getty Images
Branson and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger address the media as Virgin Galactic unveiled a commercial spacecraft designed to send passengers into orbit for $200,000 a ticket.
Branson and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger address the media as Virgin Galactic unveiled a commercial spacecraft designed to send passengers into orbit for $200,000 a ticket.
Jonathan Alcorn/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Branson kite-surfs the English Channel in 2012. At 61 years old, he was the oldest person to kite-surf the channel. He did it in three hours and 45 minutes.
Branson kite-surfs the English Channel in 2012. At 61 years old, he was the oldest person to kite-surf the channel. He did it in three hours and 45 minutes.
Stefan Rousseau/PA Images/Getty Images
Branson chats with Britain's Prince Harry at the finish of the London Marathon in 2013. Virgin has been sponsoring the event for years.
Branson chats with Britain's Prince Harry at the finish of the London Marathon in 2013. Virgin has been sponsoring the event for years.
Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Branson poses for a portrait in Munich, Germany, in 2016.
Branson poses for a portrait in Munich, Germany, in 2016.
Robert Brembeck/VISUM/Redux
Branson appears on an episode of the TV show "Shark Tank" in 2017.
Branson appears on an episode of the TV show "Shark Tank" in 2017.
Eric McCandless/Walt Disney Television/Getty Images
People take selfies with Branson after he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018.
People take selfies with Branson after he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
Branson carries crew member Sirisha Bandla on his shoulders while celebrating after their <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/11/us/gallery/richard-branson-space-flight/index.html" target="_blank">historic spaceflight</a> in July 2021. Branson became the first billionaire to travel to space aboard a spacecraft he helped fund. Bandla is the second woman born in India to fly to space.
Branson carries crew member Sirisha Bandla on his shoulders while celebrating after their historic spaceflight in July 2021. Branson became the first billionaire to travel to space aboard a spacecraft he helped fund. Bandla is the second woman born in India to fly to space.
Andres Leighton/AP
In pictures: Billionaire tycoon Richard Branson
CNN  — 

Here’s a look at the life of the founder of Virgin Group, Ltd., Richard Branson.

Personal

Birth date: July 18, 1950

Birth place: Surrey, England

Birth name: Richard Charles Nicholas Branson

Father: Edward Branson, lawyer

Mother: Eve (Huntley-Flindt) Branson, flight attendant

Marriages: Joan (Templeman) Branson (1989-present); Kristen (Tomassi) Branson (1972-1976, divorced)

Children: with Joan Branson: Clare Sarah, born and died in 1979, Holly and Sam

Other Facts

Struggled in school due to dyslexia.

Signed notable artists such as the Sex Pistols, Culture Club, the Rolling Stones and Genesis to the Virgin Records label.

Some of his possessions over time have included at least three islands, a super-yacht and a submarine.

The Virgin Group brand has spawned more than 400 worldwide companies, in leisure, travel, tourism, mobile, broadband, media, finance, conservation and health.

Timeline

1966 - Starts the magazine “Student” shortly before dropping out of school at the age of 16.

1970 - Founds Virgin, a mail-order record company, and shortly thereafter a record store in London.

1971 - Forms the Virgin Records music label and builds a recording studio.

1973 - Branson’s first signed artist, Mike Oldfield, releases the single “Tubular Bells,” which stays on the UK charts for 247 weeks.

1984 - Forms Virgin Atlantic airlines.

1987 - Branson and Per Lindstrand become the first people to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a hot-air balloon.

1992 - Branson sells Virgin Music Group to Thorn EMI. He says that the sale will allow him to concentrate on his airline, Virgin Atlantic.

1999 - Is knighted for his contributions to entrepreneurship.

June 2004 - Branson crosses the English Channel in one hour, 40 minutes and six seconds in an amphibious vehicle, setting a world record.

September 27, 2004 - Branson announces a licensing deal with Mojave Aerospace Ventures to ultimately offer commercial space flights through Virgin Galactic.

December 7, 2009 - Branson unveils SpaceShipTwo, named VSS Enterprise, a commercial spacecraft designed to send passengers into orbit for $200,000 a ticket.

January 29, 2010 - Reveals the Necker Nymph, a three-person submarine that can dive more than 100 feet.

August 23, 2011 - Fire, ignited by a lightning strike, destroys Branson’s house on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. Approximately 20 people, including Branson, members of his family and actress Kate Winslet, escape unharmed.

July 2012 - Becomes the oldest person to kitesurf the English Channel.

November 22, 2013 - Branson announces that travelers for his commercial space travel flight can pay with the digital currency Bitcoin.

October 31, 2014 - SpaceShipTwo explodes during a test flight, killing one pilot and injuring the other.

February 19, 2016 - Virgin Galactic unveils a new spaceship. It is a replacement for the one that crashed in 2014.

December 2018 - Branson joins Fabien Cousteau and submarine pilot, Erika Bergman, on a historic expedition to the bottom of Belize’s Great Blue Hole, the world’s largest sinkhole.

May 10, 2019 - Virgin Galactic announces that it will move its spacecraft and 100 of its workers to a building called Spaceport America in New Mexico. They will join about 50 other employees already working there.

June 22, 2020 - Virgin Galactic announces that it has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA to train private astronauts and coordinate potential trips to the International Space Station.

July 1, 2020 - Virgin Galactic announces that Branson will be on its July 11 test flight to space.

July 11, 2021 - Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity space plane carrying Branson and three colleagues launches from Spaceport America in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. After a successful detachment from its mothership WhiteKnightTwo, the space plane makes a return landing at Spaceport America.

April 3, 2023 - Virgin Orbit, the rocket company founded by Branson, files for bankruptcy in the United States. On May 23, Virgin Orbit announces it will cease operations and sell off its assets.

June 2023 - Branson opens Son Bunyola, a luxury hotel on the Spanish island of Mallorca.

June 29, 2023 - Virgin Galactic successfully launches its first paying customers to the edge of space. The vehicle ventures more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) above Earth’s surface.