The cause of death of Lady Joan Sarah Drummond Branson, the wife of Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has been disclosed following a tragic incident that occurred towards the end of last year.
Lady Branson, aged 80, passed away on November 24 at London Bridge Hospital due to a blood clot that developed as a complication of a back injury resulting from a fall two weeks earlier. During a preliminary hearing, Sir Richard and their daughter Holly, 44, expressed that they were not seeking to assign blame for her demise.
An upcoming inquest will delve into whether Lady Branson should have been prescribed blood thinners and if she had been wearing anti-clot stockings at the time of her death. At a session at Inner West London Coroners’ Court, Holly emphasized, “I believe mum received excellent care. The medical team saved her life three years ago, granting us more time together. Our aim is to potentially assist other families by learning from this experience.”
Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox informed the court that the inquest would investigate whether Lady Branson had been utilizing Thrombo-Embolus Deterrent (TED) stockings, which mitigate clotting risks during periods of immobility.
Prof. Wilcox stated that insights from an expert witness would be crucial in determining whether the anti-coagulant Heparin could have prevented Lady Branson’s demise, considering her history of blood clots.
An expert hematologist will present their findings during the inquest scheduled for September. Joan had a history of blood clots dating back to at least 2010. In 2018, Sir Richard recounted an incident around eight years earlier when Joan had experienced severe clotting issues, which necessitated innovative treatment.
Following a series of clots from her ankle to her groin, doctors intervened to prevent a potential pulmonary embolism. Sir Richard detailed the use of a drug called Warfarin and a surgical procedure involving the insertion of a protective device into her leg. He was present at the hospital during her passing, having sustained a shoulder injury in India.
The news of Lady Branson’s death was shared by Sir Richard on Instagram on November 25 last year, expressing his profound grief and admiration for his late wife.
In a subsequent tribute on virgin.com, Sir Richard reminisced about their enduring love story, highlighting Joan’s positive spirit and their final moments together. Their journey as a couple began in 1976, marked by Sir Richard’s pursuit of Joan’s affections amid personal and professional challenges.
Despite facing early setbacks, including the loss of their first child, Clare Sarah, the Bransons built a family that included their children Holly and Sam, as well as four grandchildren, ensuring Joan’s legacy endures through their shared memories and philanthropic endeavors.
At Reach and across our entities, we and our partners utilize data collected through cookies and other identifiers to enhance user experience, analyze site usage, and deliver personalized ads. You can manage your data preferences by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” option on our webpage. By using our services, you consent to the use of
