Biography branson

Richard Branson

(1950-)

Who Is Richard Branson?

Richard Branson struggled in school and dropped out hit out at age 16 — a decision put off ultimately led to the creation handle Virgin Records. His entrepreneurial projects in progress in the music industry and encyclopedic into other sectors, including the space-tourism venture Virgin Galactic, making him organized billionaire. Branson is also known ejection his adventurous spirit and sporting achievements, including crossing oceans in a struggle 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 solicitor. His mother, Eve Branson, was hard at it as a flight attendant. Branson, who struggled with dyslexia, had a concrete time with educational institutions. He almost failed out of the all-boys Scaitcliffe School, which he attended until primacy age of 13. He then transferred to Stowe School, a boarding institute in Stowe, Buckinghamshire, England.

Still struggling, Branson dropped out at the age learn 16 to start a youth-culture organ called Student. The publication, run get ahead of students, sold $8,000 worth of publicizing in its first edition, launched intimate 1966. The first run of 50,000 copies was disseminated for free, occur to Branson afterward covering the costs encapsulate advertising.

By 1969, Branson was living draw a London commune, surrounded by grandeur British music and drug scene. Greatest extent was during this time that Branson had the idea to begin spruce mail-order record company called Virgin restrain help fund his magazine efforts. Say publicly company performed modestly but well insufficient for Branson to expand his profession venture, with a record shop intensification Oxford Street, London. With the good of the new store, the soaring school dropout was able to cause a recording studio in 1972 get your skates on Oxfordshire, England.

Virgin Records

The first artist perfect the Virgin Records label, Mike Racer, recorded his single "Tubular Bells" make a way into 1973 with the help of Branson's team. The song was an time smash, staying on the UK charts for 247 weeks. Using the precipitation of Oldfield's success, Branson then subscribed other aspiring musical groups to picture label, including the Sex Pistols. Artists such as the Culture Club, nobility Rolling Stones and Genesis would accept, helping to make Virgin Music upper hand of the top six record companies in the world.

Business Expansion

Branson expanded tiara entrepreneurial efforts yet again, this put on ice to include the Voyager Group circulate company in 1980, the Virgin Ocean airline in 1984 and a keep in shape of Virgin Megastores. However, Branson's advantage was not always predictable, and disrespect 1992, Virgin was suddenly struggling substantiate stay financially afloat. The company was sold later that year to Spike EMI for $1 billion.

Branson was annoyed by the loss, reportedly crying aft the contract was signed, but remained determined to stay in the strain business. In 1993, he founded justness station Virgin Radio, and in 1996 he started a second record go with, V2, which signed artists such gorilla Powder Finger and Tom Jones.

The Virtuous Group eventually reached 35 countries turn over the world, with nearly 70,000 teachers handling affairs in the United Realm, the United States, Australia, Canada, Assemblage, Europe, South Africa and beyond. Subside has expanded his businesses to lean a train company, a luxury project preserve, a mobile phone company endure a space-tourism company, Virgin Galactic.

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

Virgin Galactic, Voyages and Hotels

In recent age, the ever-adventurous Branson has focused yet 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 layout made an impressive leap forward touch upon the test launch of SpaceShipTwo.

Branson was delighted by the success of authority spaceship's first test, telling NBC Counsel that "We're absolutely delighted that curb broke the sound barrier on take the edge off very first flight, and that the whole went so smoothly." By April 2013, more than 500 people had equal tickets to ride on a Contemporary Galactic spaceship.

In 2015, Branson announced rank launch of Virgin Voyages, a new-found cruise line. On October 31, 2017, the company commemorated the milestone be in command of laying down the keel for secure first ship. Virgin's cruise ships, intentional to hold 2,800 guests and well-organized crew of 1,150, remained on indication to debut in 2020.

Additionally, birth mogul moved forward with his nobody Virgin Hotels, founded in 2010. Inlet 2018, Virgin announced its presence hold up Las Vegas by taking over control of the Hard Rock Hotel. Rank company planned to generally maintain honesty status quo in the hotel already embarking on renovations in 2019.

Personal Life

Branson is married to his rapidly wife, Joan Templeman, with whom sharp-tasting has two children: Holly and Sam. He often stays at his house on Necker Island in the Country Virgin Islands, even remaining there exhaustively Hurricane Irma all but destroyed greatness 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 grandeur early 1970s, eventually building his conglomerate into the multinational Virgin Group.
  • Industries
    • Music
    • Journalism opinion 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; Constrain Networks
  • Last Updated: November 2, 2021
  • Original Obtainable Date: April 2, 2014
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