Richard Branson's son issues heartbreaking message over mum Joan Templeman's death

Richard Branson's son Sam has honoured his late mother Joan Templeman with a heartbreaking tribute following her death aged 80.

The British businessman and founder of the Virgin Group announced the news that his wife had died in a social media post yesterday (25 November).

Sir Richard, who married Joan in 1989, said she was his 'best friend' and 'guiding light'.

He wrote on Instagram: "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."

The couple share two children Holly and Sam.

Sam, 40, also took to social media to share a carousel of images with his mum throughout her life and write a tribute.

Sam heartbreakingly wrote: "Mum you instantly made everyone in your presence feel like all was well with the world.

"You were the kindest, most loving, warm and abundantly generous woman to walk this Earth."

He continued: "Thank you for all that you were to me, our family and to everyone who was blessed by your graceful, loving presence. I am so deeply grateful to have had the privilege of being your son and being able to call you mum.

"Words cannot express how much I will miss you and how I wish you were still here to console me about the loss of you. But somehow you still are… and that is the magic of you.

"I love you to the moon and back. Forever and Ever."

The post has amassed more than 13,000 likes, with the comments flooded with people supporting the famous family.

The photos spanned decades, including one photo showing Sam planting a kiss on his mom’s face following the birth of one of his kids with wife Isabella Calthorpe.

He also included more recent selfies together as well as pictures from his childhood, including one of himself and sister Holly Branson, now 44, with their parents.

In a previous article written for the Virgin website celebrating Joan's 70th birthday, the entrepreneur said he fell in love with Joan 'from the first moment I saw her' as she worked in a bric-a-brac shop in London’s Westbourne Grove.

Richard recalled he had to 'persistently hang around the shop and buy countless objects,' including an old advertising sign, before the pair started to date.

In the piece, the businessman said his wife was a 'very private person' who had 'always stood by me mentally, emotionally and spiritually'.

The couple's daughter Holly also a heartfelt Instagram tribute back in July to mark her mum's 80th birthday.

Alongside a throwback photo, she wrote: "The last few weeks have been filled with so much love and magical family moments.

"As a family, we love to be surrounded by people (strangers and friends alike), great food, good music, bad dancing, and lots of laughter. My heart is full after an early celebration of [brother] Sam's 40th birthday onboard... quickly followed by wonderful mum's 80th birthday."

According to reports, Holly identified as a boy for some of her childhood, which is something she praised her parents for supporting.

She continued: "My mum hates to be in the spotlight, but I'd love to share some of the most precious lessons I've learnt from her.

"The most amazing quality my mum has is the ability to love unconditionally... Having a daughter who decided from the age of four that she wanted to be a boy must have been difficult to navigate back then.

"Mum (and Dad) never made me feel like I was strange in any way, and I am so thankful to them both for this."