Sir Richard Branson is a business tycoon and British billionaire born into the family of Ted and Eve Branson on 18th July 1950 in Shamley Green, England. Sir Branson is the founder and Chairman of the Virgin Group of Companies. A conglomerate that boasts over 400 companies under her.
In March 2000, Mr Richard Branson was knighted at Buckingham Palace in London for “services to entrepreneurship.
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Education
Sir Richard Branson isn’t a bookie. He wasn’t outstanding in school because he was dyslexic. He was nearly dropped at All-Boys Scaitcliffe School, Cliff View House School, briefly, before he was transferred to Stowe School. Due to his struggle with his education, he dropped out of school at 16 to face business.
“Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to.”
Richard Branson Quotes
Business Venture
Sir Richard Branson started business at 16. He started with a magazine he named Student. Afterwards, in 1969, he started a mail company and had a team of 20. This company was called Virgin and he was able to grow this business to a multibillion-dollar group of companies over the years.
In 1970, he established a Mail Order record business and built a chain of record stores, Virgin Megastores, within 2years.
In 1972, established a record label, Virgin Records, a record label and made his first million dollars in 1973. He signed several artists like Sex Pistols, Rolling Stones etc. and by the end of the decade, Virgin Records had expanded to other countries like France, Germany and Japan and became one of the top record labels in the world.
In 1981, Ricard added Virgin Books and Virgin Video and two years later he recorded sales of over $17million across his chains of businesses.
Virgin Atlantic was born in 1984, and the company was known for its outstanding customer service.
In 1992, he sold Virgin Records for $1billion just to focus on Virgin Atlantic.
Virgin Mobile was born in 2001. this company provides wireless communication services and is available in many countries.
Sir Richard Branson Spaceship
In 2004, Sir Richard Branson launched Virgin Galactic, a spacecraft built for space tourism. Virgin Galactic had a couple of challenges and wasn’t ready for her first flight. Sir R. Branson got 600 persons to sign up in 2019 (Elon Musk was one of them).
Today, Sir Branson boasts of four space companies namely; Virgin Galactic, Virgin Orbit, VOX and the Spaceship.
In one of his interviews, he said that luck, speed and hard work are key to his success.
Sir Richard Branson endorsed Bitcoin but called it a get-rich-quick scheme. In his words,
Sir Richard Branson has appeared as a guest judge on shark tank.
“These cryptocurrencies are a safe bet – you should invest! I never endorse any get-rich-quick schemes”
Richard Branson Quotes
Marriage
Branson married Kristen Tomassi in 1972 but the marriage lasted for only 7 years.
In 1976, he met Joan Templeman and made her his wife in 1989 on Necker Island. She had 3 kids for him; Holly, Sam and Sarah but Sarah died when she was 4 days old.
You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over
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Richard Branson’s Age
Sir Branson who wad born on 18th of July 1950 is currently 73 years old.
Sir Richard Branson Diet
This Knight doesn’t joke with his diet. In January he made a statement on his decision to be more disciplined with what he eats endorsing Dr William Li’s book “Eat to beat diseases” and a “feature documentary” his nephew worked on “Eating Our Way to Extinction“.
“Respect is how to treat everyone, not just those you want to impress.”
Richard Branson Quotes
Sir Richard Branson Net worth
Sir Branson, according to Forbes, is worth $5billion. He amassed his wealth majorly from the Virgins Group of Companies.
Sir Branson bought the entire Nectar Island, a 74 Acre island, for $180,000 in 1979.
He is also a philanthropist. In 2004 Richard established his foundation, Virgin Unite, designed to aid resuscitate dying businesses. He also uses Virgin Unite to compact HIV/AIDS.
“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!”
Richard Branson Quotes
Awards and Recognitions
| Year | Award /Recognition |
| 2000 | Tony Jannus Award |
| 2002 | BBC poll of 100 Greatest Britons |
| 2007 | United Nations Correspondents Association Citizen of the World Award for his support for environmental and humanitarian causes |
| 2010 | German Media Prize |
| 2014 | Oslo Business for Peace Award |
| 2015 | 100 Most Influential British Entrepreneurs |
Top 10 Amazing Facts about Richard Branson
- He crossed the Atlantic in a hot air balloon
- He crossed the English Channel in an amphibious vehicle in less than two hours.
- Is the oldest person to kitesurf the English Channel.
- Owns an underwater plane, Necker Nymph
- He was dyslexic in his childhood.
- Has over 200 businesses under Virgin
- Rides his bicycle every morning even at his old age.
- Named his business Virgin because it’s his first time.
- Bought Necker Island for $180,000. It worth $200million
- Enjoys gathering vintage cars
The brave may not live forever – But the cautious do not live at all
Richard Branson Quotes