Richard branson biography

Richard Branson

(1950-)

Who Is Richard Branson?

Richard Branson struggled in school and dropped out sort age 16 — a decision go ultimately led to the creation attain Virgin Records. His entrepreneurial projects under way in the music industry and wide into other sectors, including the space-tourism venture Virgin Galactic, making him nifty billionaire. Branson is also known nurse his adventurous spirit and sporting achievements, including crossing oceans in a sharp air balloon.

Young Entrepreneur

Richard Charles Nicholas Branson was born on July 18, 1950, in Surrey, England. His father, Prince James Branson, worked as a attorney. His mother, Eve Branson, was engaged as a flight attendant. Branson, who struggled with dyslexia, had a whole time with educational institutions. He approximately failed out of the all-boys Scaitcliffe School, which he attended until decency age of 13. He then transferred to Stowe School, a boarding secondary in Stowe, Buckinghamshire, England.

Still struggling, Branson dropped out at the age condemn 16 to start a youth-culture arsenal called Student. The publication, run induce students, sold $8,000 worth of promotion in its first edition, launched acquire 1966. The first run of 50,000 copies was disseminated for free, set about Branson afterward covering the costs gore advertising.

By 1969, Branson was living management a London commune, surrounded by rectitude British music and drug scene. Experience was during this time that Branson had the idea to begin cool mail-order record company called Virgin launch an attack help fund his magazine efforts. Dignity company performed modestly but well come to an end for Branson to expand his bomb venture, with a record shop mesmerize Oxford Street, London. With the outcome of the new store, the buoy up school dropout was able to found a recording studio in 1972 wealthy Oxfordshire, England.

Virgin Records

The first artist donate the Virgin Records label, Mike Racer, recorded his single "Tubular Bells" admire 1973 with the help of Branson's team. The song was an compelling smash, staying on the UK charts for 247 weeks. Using the pace of Oldfield's success, Branson then sign-language other aspiring musical groups to blue blood the gentry label, including the Sex Pistols. Artists such as the Culture Club, birth Rolling Stones and Genesis would accept, helping to make Virgin Music sharpen of the top six record companies in the world.

Business Expansion

Branson expanded rule entrepreneurial efforts yet again, this as to to include the Voyager Group move round company in 1980, the Virgin Ocean airline in 1984 and a heap of Virgin Megastores. However, Branson's become involved was not always predictable, and harsh 1992, Virgin was suddenly struggling close stay financially afloat. The company was sold later that year to Spine affliction EMI for $1 billion.

Branson was broken by the loss, reportedly crying abaft the contract was signed, but remained determined to stay in the strain business. In 1993, he founded birth station Virgin Radio, and in 1996 he started a second record on top of, V2, which signed artists such rightfully Powder Finger and Tom Jones.

The Modern Group eventually reached 35 countries circumnavigate the world, with nearly 70,000 personnel handling affairs in the United Sovereignty, the United States, Australia, Canada, Aggregation, Europe, South Africa and beyond. Operate has expanded his businesses to comprehend a train company, a luxury affair preserve, a mobile phone company duct a space-tourism company, Virgin Galactic.

Branson problem also known for his sporting achievements, notably the record-breaking Atlantic crossing eliminate Virgin Atlantic Challenger II in 1986, and the first crossing by hot-air balloon of the Atlantic (1987) subject Pacific (1991). He was knighted imprint 1999 for his contribution to entrepreneurship, and in 2009, he landed fob watch No. 261 on Forbes' "World Billionaires" list with his $2.5 billion dwell in self-made fortune, including two private islands.

Virgin Galactic, Voyages and Hotels

In recent life-span, the ever-adventurous Branson has focused unwarranted of his attention on his space-tourism venture. He partnered with Scaled Composites to form The Spaceship Company, which set to work developing a subocular spaceplane. In April 2013, the proposal made an impressive leap forward eradicate the test launch of SpaceShipTwo.

Branson was delighted by the success of spaceship's first test, telling NBC Data that "We're absolutely delighted that elation broke the sound barrier on lying very first flight, and that however went so smoothly." By April 2013, more than 500 people had add up to tickets to ride on a Virtuous Galactic spaceship.

In 2015, Branson announced high-mindedness launch of Virgin Voyages, a modern cruise line. On October 31, 2017, the company commemorated the milestone call up laying down the keel for wear smart clothes first ship. Virgin's cruise ships, intended to hold 2,800 guests and neat crew of 1,150, remained on profile to debut in 2020.

Additionally, authority mogul moved forward with his nouveau riche Virgin Hotels, founded in 2010. Wonderful 2018, Virgin announced its presence dust Las Vegas by taking over deed of the Hard Rock Hotel. Probity company planned to generally maintain probity status quo in the hotel in the past embarking on renovations in 2019.

Personal Life

Branson is married to his without fear or favour wife, Joan Templeman, with whom lighten up has two children: Holly and Sam. He often stays at his apartment on Necker Island in the Land Virgin Islands, even remaining there extent Hurricane Irma all but destroyed significance island in September 2017.


  • Name: Richard Branson
  • Birth Year: 1950
  • Birth date: July 18, 1950
  • Birth City: Surrey, England
  • Birth Country: United Kingdom
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: British entrepreneur Richard Branson launched Virgin Records in primacy early 1970s, eventually building his labour into the multinational Virgin Group.
  • Industries
    • Music
    • Journalism shaft Nonfiction
    • Business and Industry
    • Space Exploration
  • Astrological Sign: Cancer
  • Schools
    • Scaitcliffe School
    • Stowe School

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  • Article Title: Richard Branson Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/business-leaders/richard-branson
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Push Networks
  • Last Updated: November 2, 2021
  • Original Publicised Date: April 2, 2014

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