History of Richard Branson in Timeline
Sir Richard Branson is an English business leader who started the Virgin Group, a large company involved in many different industries. He founded the company in the 1970s and it now owns over 400 businesses.
July 1950: Birth of Richard Branson
Richard Branson was born in July 1950 in Blackheath, London, England. His parents were Edward James Branson, a barrister, and Evette Huntley Branson, a former ballet dancer and air hostess.
1966: Early Business Ventures and the Launch of Student Magazine
Before achieving significant success, Branson explored various business opportunities, including attempts to sell Christmas trees and budgerigars. In 1966, he co-founded Student magazine with Nik Powell, marking his initial foray into the world of publishing.
1967: Early Entrepreneurial Spirit
Branson's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age, even during his school years. Notably, his mother played a significant role in nurturing this spirit.
January 1968: Launch of Student Magazine
Branson's first business venture, Student magazine, debuted in January 1968. While not an immediate success, the magazine later became instrumental in driving sales for his mail-order record business.
1970: Branson's Entrepreneurial Beginnings
At the age of 20, Richard Branson established a mail-order record business, marking the start of his entrepreneurial journey.
1971: Legal Challenge and Financial Strain
In 1971, Branson faced legal scrutiny related to his record store's operations. While the case didn't proceed to court, it resulted in a significant financial settlement, requiring his parents to re-mortgage their home to help him.
1971: Branson's Tax Evasion Conviction and Brief Imprisonment
Richard Branson was convicted of tax evasion in 1971 for using fraudulent export documents to avoid purchase tax on records. He was caught in a sting operation and briefly jailed for one night.
1972: Launch of Virgin Records
In 1972, Branson opened his first record store, Virgin Records, which would later become known as Virgin Megastores.
1972: Branson's First Marriage
Richard Branson married Kristen Tomassi in 1972.
1973: Virgin Records' First Release and Early Success
Virgin Records celebrated its first major triumph in 1973 with the release of Mike Oldfield's debut album, "Tubular Bells." The album topped the charts, establishing Virgin Records as a prominent player in the music industry.
1976: Branson Meets Joan Templeman
Richard Branson met Joan Templeman, his future wife, in 1976.
1979: Virgin Records Goes International
By 1979, Branson's net worth had reached an estimated £5 million. A year later, Virgin Records expanded its operations globally, solidifying its position as a major international record label.
1979: Branson's Divorce from Kristen Tomassi
Richard Branson and Kristen Tomassi divorced in 1979 after seven years of marriage.
1979: Branson featured in "Derek and Clive Get the Horn"
Richard Branson made several appearances in the 1979 documentary film "Derek and Clive Get the Horn", which centered around comedians Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.
1981: Birth of Branson's Daughter, Holly
Richard Branson and Joan Templeman welcomed their daughter, Holly, in 1981.
1982: Acquisition of Heaven and Foray into Music Production
In 1982, Branson's Virgin Group expanded its portfolio by acquiring the London-based gay nightclub Heaven. This year also marked Branson's venture into music production with the novelty record "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep."
1983: Creation of "Now That's What I Call Music!"
In a pivotal moment for the music industry, "Now That's What I Call Music!" was conceived at Virgin Records' offices in 1983. This unique compilation series, a collaboration with EMI, was orchestrated by Peter Jamieson on Richard Branson's boat. The catchy and concise title was inspired by a Danish Bacon poster gifted to Simon Draper.
1984: Expansion into the Airline Industry
In 1984, Branson made a significant move into the airline industry with the establishment of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Cargo. This marked a turning point in Branson's career, as he set his sights on revolutionizing air travel.
1985: Launch of Virgin Holidays
Capitalizing on the success of his airline ventures, Branson established Virgin Holidays in 1985, offering comprehensive travel packages and expanding his presence in the travel and tourism sector.
1985: Birth of Branson's Son, Sam
Richard Branson and Joan Templeman's son, Sam, was born in 1985.
1985: First Attempt to Break the Fastest Atlantic Ocean Crossing Record
Richard Branson made his initial attempt to achieve the fastest Atlantic Ocean crossing by ship in 1985, but his boat, the Virgin Atlantic Challenger, capsized.
1986: Successful Atlantic Ocean Crossing and Record-Breaking
Branson successfully broke the record for the fastest Atlantic Ocean crossing in 1986 with the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II, completing the journey two hours faster than the previous record.
1989: Branson Marries Joan Templeman
Richard Branson and Joan Templeman married on Necker Island in 1989.
1991: Unsuccessful Bid for ITV Franchises
Branson's attempt to enter the television industry faced a setback in 1991 when his consortium's bid for three ITV franchises under the CPV-TV name was unsuccessful.
1992: Sale of Virgin Music Group to EMI
In a strategic move to secure the financial stability of his airline business, Branson made the difficult decision to sell the Virgin Music Group to EMI for £500 million in 1992.
1995: Branson embarks on global balloon flight attempts
Beginning in 1995, Richard Branson, along with Per Lindstrand, Vladimir Dzhanibekov, Larry Newman, and Steve Fossett, began a series of attempts to circumnavigate the globe by balloon.
1996: Return to the Music Industry with V2 Records
Despite selling Virgin Music Group, Branson's passion for the music industry remained strong. In 1996, he founded V2 Records, marking his return to the industry he had helped shape.
March 1997: Virgin Rail Commences Operations
Virgin Rail Group's successful bids for the InterCity CrossCountry and InterCity West Coast franchises culminated in the commencement of operations in January and March 1997. These franchises, awarded for 15 years, marked Branson's official entry into the UK's rail industry.
1997: Virgin Enters the Rail Industry
Branson established the Virgin Rail Group in 1997 to participate in the privatization of British Rail by bidding for passenger rail franchises.
1997: Release of "Titanic"
The film "Titanic", a major cinematic release, premiered in 1997.
1998: Branson publishes autobiography
Branson's autobiography, "Losing My Virginity", was published in 1998 and achieved international success.
March 1999: Branson's ballooning endeavors end
In March 1999, Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones, in Breitling Orbiter 3, successfully completed a global flight by balloon, an endeavor Branson and his team had been attempting for several years.
1999: Branson supports International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children
Branson became a founding sponsor of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) in 1999, an organization dedicated to locating missing children and combating child exploitation, a cause close to his heart as his mother, Eve, served as a founding board member.
1999: Launch of Virgin Mobile
Expanding his business empire further, Branson ventured into the mobile phone market with the launch of Virgin Mobile in 1999.
March 2000: Richard Branson Knighted
Richard Branson received a knighthood at Buckingham Palace in March 2000, in recognition of his significant contributions to entrepreneurship.
2000: Potential Candidacy for Mayor of London
Before the first 2000 London mayoral election, Richard Branson was suggested as a candidate, with polls indicating he would be viable. However, he did not express interest in running.
2000: Branson becomes a target of satire
Branson's high public profile began attracting satirical portrayals, including a parody in the comic series "Zenith" around the year 2000.
2000: Virgin Blue Takes Flight in Australia
Continuing his global expansion in the airline industry, Branson launched Virgin Blue in Australia in 2000, aiming to bring his unique brand of air travel to the Australian market.
March 2004: Branson sets English Channel crossing record
Richard Branson set a new record for the fastest crossing of the English Channel in an amphibious vehicle in March 2004, completing the journey from Dover to Calais in 1 hour, 40 minutes, and 6 seconds using his Gibbs Aquada.
September 2004: Virgin Galactic Founded
In September 2004, Richard Branson announced the launch of Virgin Galactic, a space tourism company set to utilize technology from SpaceShipOne to take passengers into suborbital space.
2004: Founding of Virgin Galactic
Driven by his passion for space exploration, Branson founded Virgin Galactic, a spaceflight corporation, in 2004. The company's primary objective was to develop a suborbital spaceplane for space tourism.
2004: Execution of Yen May Woen
In 2004, Singapore executed Yen May Woen, and years later, Richard Branson would become a vocal opponent of such executions, advocating against capital punishment in Singapore and globally.
2004: Branson's cameo in "Around the World in 80 Days"
Richard Branson made a cameo appearance as a hot-air balloon operator in the 2004 film adaptation of "Around the World in 80 Days".
2004: Branson's foray into reality television
Richard Branson starred in "The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best", a reality show that aired for one season in 2004, challenging contestants on their entrepreneurial spirit and adventurousness.
2005: Views on Economic Matters
In 2005, Richard Branson declared that there were negligible differences between the two main UK political parties on economic matters, showcasing his perspective on political issues.
2005: Branson School of Entrepreneurship
In 2005, Richard Branson helped establish the Branson School of Entrepreneurship in South Africa. This initiative aimed to support start-ups and micro-enterprises with skills, mentors, services, networks, and finance arrangements, contributing to economic growth in the region.
June 2006: Price-Fixing Investigation Initiated
In June 2006, a tip-off from Virgin Atlantic prompted UK and US competition authorities to investigate potential price-fixing between Virgin Atlantic and British Airways.
July 2006: Branson Sells Virgin Mobile
In July 2006, Branson sold Virgin Mobile to NTL:Telewest for £900 million.
September 2006: Branson Pledges Investment in Eco-Friendly Fuels
On September 21, 2006, Branson pledged to invest an estimated $3 billion, the profits from Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Trains, into research for environmentally friendly fuels.
2006: Branson names spaceship after "Star Trek" vessel
As a fan of "Star Trek", Richard Branson named his new spaceship VSS Enterprise after the iconic spaceships from the franchise in 2006.
2006: Virgin Comics and Virgin Animation Founded
Branson established Virgin Comics and Virgin Animation in 2006, with a focus on creating new narratives and characters.
2006: Branson Ranked on Sunday Times Rich List
Branson secured the ninth position on The Sunday Times Rich List in 2006, with an estimated worth exceeding £3 billion, as revealed in his autobiography.
2006: $3 Billion Pledge for Global Warming
In 2006, Richard Branson pledged to invest $3 billion over the next decade to combat global warming. However, as of 2014, he was criticized for contributing significantly less than the pledged amount, with Virgin airlines' emissions increasing during this period.
2006: Branson Founds Virgin Comics LLC
Inspired by his admiration for characters like Peter Pan, Richard Branson founded Virgin Comics LLC in 2006 with the aim of providing a platform for young, creative thinkers.
2006: Virgin Airlines Forms Brussels Airlines
Virgin Airlines merged with SN Brussels Airlines in 2006, establishing Brussels Airlines while maintaining its separate listing.
February 2007: Virgin Earth Challenge Announced
Branson announced the establishment of the Virgin Earth Challenge on 9 February 2007, a global science and technology prize offering $25 million for a viable solution to remove atmospheric greenhouse gases.
February 2007: Virgin Health Bank Launched
Branson launched Virgin Health Bank on 1 February 2007, offering parents-to-be the option to store their babies' umbilical cord blood stem cells.
July 2007: Branson Acquires Makepeace Island
Branson purchased Makepeace Island in Noosa, Australia, in July 2007.
July 2007: Mandela announces formation of The Elders
Nelson Mandela announced the establishment of The Elders, a group intended to address global conflicts, in July 2007. Branson was involved in the group's formation and supported it financially.
August 2007: Branson Invests in AirAsia X
Branson announced his acquisition of a 20% stake in Malaysia's AirAsia X in August 2007.
August 2007: Branson's comedic interview on "The Colbert Report"
Branson appeared on "The Colbert Report" in August 2007 to promote his airline, Virgin America, even naming a plane "Air Colbert". The interview turned comedic as Branson and Colbert engaged in a playful water fight.
August 2007: British Airways Fined for Price-Fixing
British Airways was fined £271 million in August 2007 for price-fixing allegations, while Virgin Atlantic received immunity for informing the authorities.
August 2007: Virgin America Takes Flight
Virgin America commenced operations in August 2007, operating from San Francisco International Airport.
September 2007: Branson mourns Steve Fossett
The disappearance of adventurer Steve Fossett in September 2007 deeply affected Branson, who penned a tribute to his friend in Time magazine, titled "My Friend, Steve Fossett".
October 2007: Virgin Group Bids for Northern Rock
Branson's Virgin Group made a bid to acquire Northern Rock in October 2007, proposing to rename it Virgin Money, but faced opposition and scrutiny.
2007: Branson Named One of Time's Most Influential
In 2007, Time magazine recognized Branson's global influence by including him in their list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
2007: Branson Ordained as Minister
Richard Branson was ordained as a minister by the Universal Life Church Monastery in 2007. This was part of a marketing campaign for Virgin America airline, allowing him to officiate an on-flight wedding.
2007: "Top Gear" attempts to outdo Branson
The cast of the show "Top Gear" attempted to break Branson's 2004 record for crossing the English Channel in an amphibious vehicle but were unsuccessful in surpassing his time.
January 2008: Virgin Healthcare to Open Chain of Clinics
Virgin Healthcare announced plans in January 2008 to open a chain of health care clinics, offering both conventional and complementary therapies.
March 2008: Branson launches Virgin Mobile in India and appears in Bollywood film
Branson expanded his Virgin brand into India with the launch of Virgin Mobile in March 2008, coinciding with a cameo appearance he made in the Bollywood film "London Dreams".
March 2008: Environmental Gathering at Necker Island
In March 2008, Richard Branson hosted an environmental gathering at his private Necker Island. The meeting brought together entrepreneurs, celebrities, and world leaders, including Tony Blair and Larry Page, to discuss global warming-related issues and pave the way for future discussions.
June 2008: Virgin Healthcare Abandons GP Referral Plans
Virgin Healthcare's plan to pay GPs for referring NHS patients to private Virgin services was abandoned in June 2008 following criticism.
September 2008: Branson's transatlantic sailing attempt thwarted
In September 2008, Branson, accompanied by his children, embarked on an attempt to set a record for an eastbound crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in the sailing sloop "Virgin Money". They had to abandon the attempt due to rough seas and damage to their vessel.
September 2008: Virgin Healthcare Abandons NHS Practice Takeover
Plans for Virgin Healthcare to take over an NHS Practice in Swindon were dropped in late September 2008.
December 2008: Global Zero Campaign Launch
In December 2008, Richard Branson became a signatory of the Global Zero campaign, aiming for the elimination of all nuclear weapons worldwide. The initiative gathered significant support and developed a practical plan for nuclear disarmament.
February 2009: Virgin Explores Formula One Opportunities
Reports emerged in February 2009 that Branson's Virgin organization was interested in acquiring the former Honda Formula One team, marking Branson's interest in the sport.
May 2009: Hunger Strike for Darfur
On 8 May 2009, Richard Branson took over Mia Farrow's hunger strike for three days to protest the Sudanese government's expulsion of aid groups from Darfur. His actions aimed to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in the region.
August 2009: Shatner and Branson's "Star Trek" connection
In an interview published in August 2009, actor William Shatner, known for his role in "Star Trek", recounted an interaction where Branson offered him a ride on the inaugural space launch of Virgin Galactic, leading to a playful negotiation about potential fees.
2009: Branson establishes the Carbon War Room
Driven by a desire to combat global warming and find sustainable energy solutions, Branson launched the Carbon War Room in 2009, focusing on developing and implementing sustainable practices in industries such as shipping, energy efficiency, and aviation.
2009: Fundraising for Branson School of Entrepreneurship
In 2009, a fundraising auction involving Jason Luckhurst, Boyd Kershaw, Martin Ainscough, and Matthew Riley raised £150,000 for the Branson School of Entrepreneurship. The funds were raised through The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 event, supporting the school's mission in South Africa.
2009: Virgin Nigeria Ceases Operations
Virgin Nigeria, a national airline based in Nigeria, ceased operations in 2009.
July 2010: Branson narrates Jessica Watson's sailing documentary
In July 2010, Branson lent his voice to narrate a documentary about Australian sailor Jessica Watson's solo sailing journey around the world.
2010: Branson and Fernandes Make F1 Bet
Branson and Tony Fernandes made a bet on the 2010 F1 season, where the owner of the losing team would work as a stewardess on the winner's airline for a charity flight.
2010: Patron of Gordon Bennett 2010 Gas Balloon Race
In 2010, Richard Branson became the patron of the UK's Gordon Bennett 2010 gas balloon race, which featured 16 hydrogen balloons flying across Europe.
2010: Founding of Enterprise Zimbabwe
In 2010, Richard Branson, along with the Nduna Foundation and Humanity United, founded Enterprise Zimbabwe. The organization aims to support economic development in Zimbabwe through various initiatives.
2010: Alleged Sexual Assault Incident on Necker Island
In 2010, singer Antonia Jenae alleged that Richard Branson sexually assaulted her at a party on Necker Island. This incident came to light in 2017 when Jenae publicly accused Branson. Branson denied any wrongdoing, claiming no recollection of the specific events.
2010: Commissioner on Broadband Commission for Digital Development
Since 2010, Richard Branson has served as a Commissioner on the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, a UN initiative promoting universal access to broadband services.
2010: Virgin Hotels Launched
Virgin Hotels was launched in 2010 under the Virgin Group.
April 2011: Branson recreates "Titanic" scene with Kate Winslet
During an appearance on CNN's "Mainsail" in April 2011, Branson joined actress Kate Winslet, known for her role in the film "Titanic", to recreate a memorable scene from the 1997 movie.
August 2011: Branson featured in Hulu's "A Day in the Life"
Branson was featured in the first episode of Hulu's original series "A Day in the Life", which premiered in August 2011.
2011: Global Commission on Drug Policy
In 2011, Richard Branson served on the Global Commission on Drug Policy, aiming to promote more humane and rational drug laws globally.
2011: Branson's Home Damaged by Hurricane Irene
In 2011, Richard Branson's home on Necker Island was severely damaged by a fire caused by lightning from Hurricane Irene. This was the first instance of significant hurricane damage to his residence.
2011: Branson's Atheist Beliefs
In a 2011 interview, Branson openly shared his atheist views, expressing his belief in evolution and the importance of humanitarianism while acknowledging his lack of belief in God.
April 2012: Virgin Care Commences NHS Contract
In April 2012, Virgin Care, a part of the Virgin Group, began a five-year contract to provide a range of health services previously managed by NHS Surrey.
July 2012: LauncherOne Orbital Space Launch System Announcement
Richard Branson revealed plans for LauncherOne in July 2012, aiming to establish an orbital space launch system.
August 2012: Virgin Rail Loses InterCity West Coast Franchise
The InterCity West Coast franchise was awarded to FirstGroup instead of Virgin Rail in August 2012 after a competitive bidding process, a decision Branson publicly questioned.
2012: Branson participates in tribute to British athletes
Branson joined other notable figures, including Michael Caine, Elton John, Simon Cowell, and Stephen Fry, in a recitation of Rudyard Kipling's poem "If—" at the 2012 Pride of Britain Awards, honoring the achievements of British athletes at the Olympics and Paralympics.
May 2013: Branson Honors Bet with Fernandes
Branson fulfilled a bet made in 2010 with Tony Fernandes, owner of Air Asia, by working as a stewardess on an Air Asia flight from Perth to Kuala Lumpur after Virgin Racing lost to Lotus Racing in the F1 season.
December 2013: Boycott Call Against Uganda
In December 2013, Richard Branson urged companies to boycott Uganda in response to its anti-homosexuality bill, stating it was against his conscience to support such legislation.
2013: Branson Announces Family Space Trip
In 2013, Branson shared his plans to take his children, Holly and Sam, on the inaugural public flight of SpaceShipTwo, originally slated for 2014.
2013: Co-founding of The B Team
In 2013, Richard Branson co-founded The B Team, a global nonprofit organization aimed at promoting sustainable business practices, climate action, human rights, and gender equality.
2013: Branson's Tax Exile Status
Richard Branson identified himself as a "tax exile" in 2013, having moved his residency to the British Virgin Islands to reduce his tax burden. This sparked controversy and calls for the revocation of his knighthood in 2016.
2013: Branson Becomes President of the Old Stoic Society
Richard Branson served as President of the Old Stoic Society of Stowe School, his alma mater, from 2013.
September 2014: Investment in 3D Robotics
In September 2014, Richard Branson announced his investment in 3D Robotics, a drone company, expressing his enthusiasm for the potential of drone technology.
2014: Launch of "Foodpreneur" Competition
Branson launched the "Foodpreneur" competition in 2014 to support food and drink start-ups, with winners receiving mentorship, legal support, and brand counseling.
2014: 'Say No' Campaign Against Wildlife Poaching
In 2014, Richard Branson joined forces with the African Wildlife Foundation and WildAid for the 'Say No' Campaign, aiming to raise public awareness about wildlife poaching and trafficking.
2014: Criticism on Global Warming Pledge
In 2014, author Naomi Klein criticized Richard Branson for contributing less than $300 million towards his $3 billion pledge to combat global warming. She also noted an increase in Virgin airlines' greenhouse gas emissions.
2014: Branson Sets Kitesurfing World Record
Richard Branson set a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the most people riding a surfboard by kiting, with three women attached to him.
March 2015: Virgin Care Expansion
By March 2015, Virgin Care had expanded its operations and was responsible for over 230 health services across the UK.
March 2015: Call for Drug Decriminalization in the UK
In March 2015, Richard Branson advocated for the decriminalization of almost all drug use in the UK, citing Portugal as an example to follow.
March 2015: Virgin Trains East Coast Franchise Begins
Virgin Trains East Coast, a joint venture between Stagecoach and Virgin Group, began operating the InterCity East Coast franchise in March 2015.
November 2015: Addition of Moskito Island to Virgin Limited Edition
Branson added Moskito Island to the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio in November 2015, introducing The Branson Estate as a luxury resort.
2015: Support for Richard Glossip
In 2015, Richard Branson released a letter in support of Richard Glossip, an American inmate due to be executed. Branson has consistently voiced opposition to the death penalty.
2015: Expansion of "Foodpreneur" Competition
The "Foodpreneur" competition expanded in 2015 into the Virgin StartUp's Foodpreneur Festival, offering winners opportunities to pitch to Target Corporation buyers.
June 2016: Branson Expresses Opposition to Brexit and Supports Hillary Clinton
In June 2016, Richard Branson publicly opposed the UK's exit from the European Union, stating that his company lost a third of its value due to the referendum results. He also voiced support for Hillary Clinton in the US presidential election.
August 2016: Branson Injured in Cycling Accident
Richard Branson sustained injuries, including torn ligaments and a cracked cheek, while cycling in the British Virgin Islands in August 2016.
September 2016: Branson Criticizes Philippine Drug War
Richard Branson openly criticized the Philippine government's drug war in September 2016, citing allegations of extrajudicial killings. He co-authored a letter with Louise Arbour and Fernando Henrique Cardoso urging President Duterte to halt the killings.
2016: Calls for Branson's Knighthood Revocation
In 2016, following Richard Branson's self-proclaimed "tax exile" status, there were public calls for him to be stripped of his knighthood. Labour's John McDonnell, then Shadow Chancellor, echoed these sentiments amidst controversy surrounding Branson's financial practices.
November 2017: Branson Accused of Sexual Assault
Antonia Jenae, a backup singer for Joss Stone, accused Richard Branson of sexual assault in November 2017. She alleged that Branson behaved inappropriately towards her at a party on Necker Island in 2010. Branson denied the allegations, stating that while he remembers the party, he has no recollection of the events described and never intended to offend anyone.
December 2017: Investment in Hyperloop One and Appointment as Chairman
In 2017, Virgin Group invested in Hyperloop One, marking a strategic partnership. Branson joined the board and became chairman in December 2017.
2017: Hurricane Irma Destroys Branson's Home
Hurricane Irma caused significant damage to Richard Branson's home on Necker Island in 2017, rendering it uninhabitable. This was the second time his home on Necker Island suffered severe damage from a hurricane.
2017: Branson Concludes Presidency of the Old Stoic Society
Richard Branson concluded his term as President of the Old Stoic Society of Stowe School in 2017.
February 2018: First Virgin Hotel in the UK Announced
Branson announced the opening of the first Virgin Hotel in the UK, located in Edinburgh, in February 2018.
May 2018: Partnership in Private Equity Fund
Branson announced his partnership in a private equity fund managed by Metric Capital in May 2018, focusing on investments in consumer goods companies.
May 2018: Announcement of Early Termination of VTEC Contract
Due to performance issues, the government announced the early termination of the Virgin Trains East Coast contract in May 2018.
June 2018: VTEC Ceases Operation
VTEC ceased its operation of the InterCity East Coast franchise on June 23, 2018, handing over operations to London North Eastern Railway.
September 2018: Participation in Virgin Strive Challenge
Branson participated in his fourth Virgin Strive Challenge in September 2018, a grueling month-long journey from Sardinia to Mont Blanc, raising funds for the Big Change charity.
October 2018: Suspension of Advisory Role Over Jamal Khashoggi's Killing
In October 2018, Richard Branson suspended his advisory role in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea tourism project following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Branson stated that the incident would affect Western business relations with the Saudi government.
February 2019: Venezuela Aid Live Benefit Concert
Branson co-organized Venezuela Aid Live, a benefit concert, in February 2019 to raise awareness and funds for the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
December 2019: Virgin Rail Ends West Coast Line Operation
Virgin Rail's operation of the West Coast line concluded in December 2019, replaced by Avanti West Coast.
March 2020: Criticism for Virgin Atlantic Staff Unpaid Leave Request
Branson and Virgin Atlantic faced criticism for asking staff to take unpaid leave during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, a period of significant decline in air travel.
May 2020: Virgin Atlantic Staff Layoffs and Fleet Reduction
Virgin Atlantic announced layoffs of 3000 staff and fleet reduction in May 2020 due to the pandemic's impact, highlighting the severe challenges faced by the airline industry.
December 2020: Launch of The Patti Grace Smith Fellowship
On 1 December 2020, Virgin Orbit launched The Patti Grace Smith Fellowship, providing paid work experience and mentorship for exceptional Black students in the aerospace industry.
January 2021: Branson's Mother Passes Away
Eve Branson, Richard Branson's mother, died in January 2021 at the age of 96 due to complications from COVID-19. Richard Branson paid tribute to her online.
March 2021: Opening of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
The rebranded Virgin Hotels Las Vegas opened in March 2021, marking a significant step in Branson's expansion into the hospitality industry.
July 2021: Branson's Space Voyage with Virgin Galactic
In July 2021, Richard Branson embarked on a momentous journey to the edge of space aboard Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity. The flight marked a significant milestone for Branson's space tourism company.
July 2021: Richard Branson's Journey to the Edge of Space
Richard Branson became the first billionaire founder of a space company to travel to the edge of space in July 2021, achieving a significant milestone with Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity spacecraft.
2021: Call to Halt Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam's Execution
In 2021, Richard Branson joined other public figures in calling for Singapore to halt the execution of Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam, a Malaysian drug trafficker. The execution proceeded, and Branson expressed disappointment in Singapore's justice system.
October 2022: Branson Declines Singapore Drug Debate Invitation
In October 2022, Richard Branson declined an invitation by the Singaporean government to participate in a televised debate on the country's stance on drugs and capital punishment. He stated his belief that such debates often prioritize personalities over the actual issue.
October 2022: Debate Invitation on Death Penalty
In October 2022, Richard Branson was invited by Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs for a live televised debate on the death penalty, which he declined. Branson has been a vocal opponent of capital punishment.
2022: Virgin Atlantic Fleet Reduction and Gatwick Operations Changes
As part of its response to the pandemic's impact, Virgin Atlantic planned to reduce its fleet size to 35 by the summer of 2022, retire its Boeing 747-400s, and cease operations from Gatwick Airport.
April 2023: Protest Against Tangaraju Suppiah's Execution
In April 2023, Richard Branson protested against the execution of Tangaraju Suppiah in Singapore, arguing that Tangaraju was innocent of the crime he was convicted for. The execution proceeded despite Branson's objections.
April 2023: Ambassador for United24 Fundraising Platform
On 10 April 2023, Richard Branson became an ambassador for the United24 fundraising platform. Virgin Unite announced a program to evacuate children with cancer to leading clinics worldwide, in cooperation with the Tabletochki foundation.
June 2023: Forbes Estimates Branson's Net Worth at $3 Billion
According to Forbes' estimation in June 2023, Richard Branson's net worth reached $3 billion.
July 2023: Appeal for Mercy for Saridewi Djamani
Before the execution of Saridewi Djamani on 28 July 2023 in Singapore, Richard Branson appealed for mercy on her behalf. Saridewi was the first female offender executed in Singapore in 19 years.
September 2023: Branson Limits Investment in Virgin Galactic
In September 2023, Branson announced his decision not to invest further in Virgin Galactic due to financial constraints.
