Richard Branson and late wife Joan’s strong bond with their children: Daughter Holly thanked her parents for supporting her while identifying as a boy for seven years – months before her mother’s death aged 80

Richard Branson announced the heartbreaking death of his beloved wife of 50 years, Joan, on Tuesday.

Businessman Virgin, 75, and his wife married in 1989, when their two children, Holly and Sam, were eight and four. The couple now have five grandchildren, Holly’s children Etta, Artie and Lola, and Sam’s children Eva-Deia and Bluey Rafe.

Announcing his death at the age of 80 on social media, the Virgin boss wrote: ‘It breaks my heart to share that Joan, my wife and partner of 50 years, has passed away.

‘She was the most wonderful mother and grandmother our children and grandchildren could ever ask for. He was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. I will love you forever, Joan x.”

Richard and Joan shared a strong bond with their children, with daughter Holly, 44, praising her parents earlier this year for allowing her to identify as male throughout her childhood.

He called their open-mindedness and unconditional love “empowering.”

Richard and Joan share a strong bond with their children, with daughter Holly, 44, praising her parents for allowing her to identify as a boy throughout her childhood (LR pictured are Holly, Sam, Joan and Richard) earlier this year

To celebrate her 80th birthday in July, Holly posted a heartfelt tribute to her mother Joan on Instagram, recalling how she lived as a child from the age of four to almost eleven, and how her parents never once made her feel ‘weird’.

Sharing a throwback photo of her mum, Holly wrote: ‘The last few weeks have been filled with so much love and magical family moments.

‘As a family, we love being surrounded by people (both strangers and friends), great food, good music, wicked dancing and lots of laughter.

‘My heart is full after an early celebration [brother] ‘Sam’s 40th birthday on the ship… followed closely by my wonderful mum’s 80th birthday.’

He continued: ‘My mother hates being in the spotlight, but I’d love to share some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from her.

‘The most amazing quality my mother has is her ability to love unconditionally… It must have been difficult back then to have a girl who decided from the age of four to be a boy.

‘My mother (and my father) never made me feel like I was weird in any way, and I’m so grateful to them both for that.’

Holly, who has three children with husband Freddie Andrews, added: ‘My mother was always very open-minded, empathetic and kind.

Businessman Virgin, 75, and his wife married in 1989, when their two children, Holly and Sam, were eight and four (Image)

The couple now have five grandchildren, including Holly’s children Etta, Artie and Lola, and Sam’s children Eva-Deia and Bluey Rafe.

‘You really allow me and Sam to be completely free to be the people we want to be… I’ve realized that unconditional love and support also comes with a big helping of patience, thank you for teaching me that, mom.’

She has also previously spoken about her ‘difficult and troubling’ fertility journey, revealing that she endured two miscarriages and two failed in vitro fertilization attempts before considering adoption and surrogacy.

Meanwhile, their son Sam lives with his wife Isabella Amaryllis Charlotte Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe and their two children in a farmhouse in Oxfordshire on an estate originally owned by his father.

She was accused of being a nepo baby two years ago when she went on ITV’s Lorraine show to launch her music career.

Sam, who considers Ed Sheeran a friend and fan, appeared on the show today to celebrate the release of his new song.

Sam, 40, said that after 30 years he had finally plucked up the courage to follow his dream of becoming a pop star.

But the former adventurer and filmmaker was criticized by viewers after appearing on the show amid accusations of nepotism as he tried to win over fans by holding a competition to stay on his private island in Bali if they pre-ordered his album.

Sam’s recent career had the strong support of his father, Sir Richard, who founded Virgin Records.

Businessman published A photo of his son playing guitar on the family’s private island and saying: ‘I’m so proud of Sam.’

As a teenager, Sam grew up with family friends like Peter Gabriel and Queen’s Roger Taylor.

He even features Duran Duran guitarist Dom Brown on his album after meeting at a mutual friend’s house, where he worked with Simon Le Bon and Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason.