Richard Branson British entrepreneur, founder of the Virgin Group corporation Date of Birth: 18.07.1950 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Family
2. Struggles with Education and First Business Endeavors
3. Virgin Records and Business Expansion
4. Legal Troubles and Virgin Records' Success
5. Virgin Group and Diversified Ventures
6. Virgin Galactic and Space Exploration
7. Personal Achievements and Philanthropy
8. Personal Life

Early Life and Family

Richard Charles Nicholas Branson was born on July 18, 1950, in London, England, to a family of lawyers. His father, Edward James Branson, was a barrister, and his grandfather was a member of the High Court and Privy Council. Richard had two sisters, Lindy and Vanessa, and a brother, Ted, who followed in the family tradition of law.

Struggles with Education and First Business Endeavors

Richard had academic difficulties in school, which he attributed to dyslexia. He preferred his mother's pursuits, such as acting and flying. As a youth, he attempted ventures including growing Christmas trees and breeding budgies, but they proved unsuccessful.

At the age of 16, Richard moved to London amid the hippie movement. Inspired by his girlfriend, he decided to publish a magazine, "Student," despite having no experience or education in journalism.

Virgin Records and Business Expansion

In 1968, "Student" magazine was launched with contributions from Gerald Scarfe, John Lennon, and Mick Jagger. Its popularity attracted advertisers, and Richard began selling records to complement the magazine. He acquired a collection of cassette tapes and distributed them through retail stores and mail order. His new venture, branded Virgin (reflecting his lack of business experience), employed innovative strategies such as letting customers play records before purchasing and offering discounts.

Legal Troubles and Virgin Records' Success

In 1971, Richard's company faced legal issues for violating export laws. His mother had to mortgage their family home to secure his release. Despite these setbacks, Virgin Records became a significant player in the music industry, serving as a platform for groundbreaking artists like Michael Oldfield and the Sex Pistols.

Virgin Group and Diversified Ventures

In 1984, Richard founded Virgin Atlantic, an airline that has since become a global player. He continued to expand his business empire, establishing Virgin Mobile in 1995 and Virgin Trains in 1997. The Virgin Group now encompasses hundreds of businesses in various industries.

Virgin Galactic and Space Exploration

One of Richard's most ambitious ventures is Virgin Galactic, a space tourism company founded in 2004. The company has developed a private spaceport and has conducted several suborbital flights.

Personal Achievements and Philanthropy

Richard's wealth has afforded him various personal pursuits, including his long-held dream of winning the "Blue Riband" for the fastest Atlantic crossing. He established a successful reality television show, "The Rebel Billionaire," and has authored seven books, including "Losing My Virginity" (1998) and "Screw It, Let's Do It" (2008). Richard is also a dedicated philanthropist, serving as an honorary doctor at multiple universities and founding the Elders, an organization of former world leaders.

Personal Life

Richard has been married twice. He wed Kristen Tomassi in 1972, but they divorced in 1979. His second marriage, to Joan Templeman, produced three children: Claire, Holly, and Sam.