Joan Templeman, the wife of British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, passed away at the age of 80 on November 24, 2025, following a cardiac arrest. An inquest into her death, held at Westminster Coroner’s Court, revealed findings that point to potential lapses in medical care during her admission at a private hospital.
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Templeman had been hospitalised at the Lister Hospital in Chelsea, London, on November 17, following a fall at Necker Island, the private retreat owned by her husband. During her stay, it was determined that she developed a pulmonary embolism, a serious condition involving a blood clot that obstructs blood flow to the lungs. This condition arose from deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a complication that can occur when patients are immobile for extended periods.
Dr. George Adams, a hematologist who testified at the inquest, highlighted that Templeman was at “extremely high risk” of developing blood clots due to her immobility and the fracture she sustained from her fall. He noted that she did not receive prophylactic anticoagulants—medications that help prevent blood clots—during her hospitalisation. According to Dr. Adams, the administration of these medications “more likely than not, would have reduced the chances of her having a fatal pulmonary embolism.”
Professor Fiona Wilcox, the senior coroner for the hearing, expressed in her conclusion that Templeman’s death could have been preventable had appropriate anticoagulation treatments been administered. She noted that the hospital’s shortcomings in this area played a significant role in the tragic outcome.
The inquest revealed that a venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) assessment, which is essential to evaluate a patient’s risk of developing clots, was not performed on the day Templeman was admitted. Dr. Basir Kunduzi, the hospital’s admitting doctor, acknowledged the oversight, stating that all patients should undergo an immediate VTE assessment.
In addition to the lack of anticoagulants, Templeman’s daughter, Dr. Holly Branson, testified that her mother was not provided with thrombo-embolism deterrent stockings for the first 48 hours of her stay. These stockings are designed to promote blood circulation in the legs and reduce the risk of DVT.
Several hospital staff expressed their reflections on the incident. Dr. Kunduzi admitted to failing in his duties, stating that the events surrounding Templeman’s death have led him to reconsider his responsibilities as a physician and the importance of clear communication within medical teams. Dr. Inaki Bovil, Templeman’s consultant, mentioned that significant strides have been made at the Lister Hospital to ensure robust practices surrounding DVT and risk prevention to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
Despite the concerning findings, Professor Wilcox clarified that the situation did not amount to neglect and affirmed that there was no complete absence of treatment during Templeman’s care. This nuance underscores the complexity of medical treatment and patient care within an acute hospital setting.
Following the inquest, a spokesperson for the Virgin Group, which represents the Branson family, refrained from making comments regarding the findings or the inquest itself.
Following Templeman’s passing, Richard Branson took to Instagram, sharing heartfelt memories of his wife. He referred to her as “the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for” and expressed his deep love and appreciation for her lifelong contributions to their family.
The couple, who married in 1989, shared three children together: Holly, 44, Sam, 41, and Clare Sarah, who tragically passed away shortly after birth. Joan Templeman’s legacy will be remembered not only in her family’s hearts but also in the ongoing efforts by health officials at the Lister Hospital to enhance patient care and prevent avoidable tragedies in the future.