Name: Richard Branson Real Time Net Worth: $2.8B (as of 9/1/26) Forbes Real Time Billionaires Ranking: #1503 in the world today 2026 Billionaires List Ranking: #1504 • Richard Branson owes his fortune to a conglomerate of businesses bearing the "Virgin" brand name, including Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Galactic. • The son of a barrister and flight attendant, Branson got his start with a mail-order record business some 50 years ago. • He primarily lives on a luxe British Virgin Islands retreat, Necker Island, which he bought for $180,000 in 1978. • Branson's rocket company Virgin Orbit, which went public in 2021 at a $4 billion valuation, went bankrupt in 2023 and sold its assets. • His digital bank Virgin Money was sold to Nationwide in 2024 for more than $3.5 billion. Age: 76 Source of Wealth: Virgin, Self Made Residence: Necker Island, British Virgin Islands Citizenship: United Kingdom Marital Status: Widowed Children: 2 Education: Drop Out, High School • March 2017: $5B (Billionaires) • March 2018: $5B (Billionaires) • March 2019: $4.1B (Billionaires) • April 2020: $3.4B (Billionaires) • April 2021: $4.8B (Billionaires) • April 2022: $4.7B (Billionaires) • April 2023: $3.4B (Billionaires) • April 2024: $2.1B (Billionaires) • April 2025: $2.8B (Billionaires) • March 2026: $2.8B (Billionaires) • When he sold Virgin Records for $1 billion in 1992, Branson ran down London's Ladbroke Grove crying, upset over parting with the business. • Branson suspended talks with Saudi Arabia over a proposed $1 billion investment into Virgin Galactic after the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. "My biggest weakness in life is that I can't say no." — Richard Branson • United Kingdom (Citizen of United Kingdom) • Anne Wojcicki (Related by financial asset: 23andMe Holding) • Chamath Palihapitiya (Related by financial asset: Virgin Galactic) • Michael Moritz (Related by financial asset: 23andMe Holding) • Virgin Money UK (Company Stakeholder) • Apr 29, 2026: "Richard Branson Calls For U.K. Cannabis Reform As Public Support Grows" by Dario Sabaghi • Aug 4, 2025: "Why Richard Branson Looks For Creativity And Drive, Not Degrees" by Ryan Stowers (BrandVoice | Paid Program) • Apr 29, 2025: "Virgin Hotels London Unveils Final Design: First Look Inside The Stylish New Shoreditch Destination" by Joanne Shurvell • Feb 3, 2025: "Celebrating Resilience, Career Paths, And ‘Creatorship’ In Tech" by Gustaf Lundberg Toresson • Nov 7, 2024: "Here’s How Foreign Billionaires Are Reacting To Donald Trump’s Victory" by Giacomo Tognini • Oct 2, 2024: "Richard Branson Credits Dyslexia For His Success. Here Are 2 Lessons" by Julian Hayes II • Aug 1, 2024: "Summer Reading For CEOs: Read Like Gates, Obama, Altman And Branson" by Alexander Puutio • May 9, 2024: "Richard Branson Adds Exclusive Safari Lodge To Virgin Limited Portfolio" by Jordi Lippe-McGraw • Mar 14, 2024: "Necker Island Enhances Guests’ Conservation Experience In 2024" by Lauren Jade Hill • Jan 3, 2024: "30 Inspiring Journal Prompts To Kickstart Your Career" by Caroline Castrillon • Nov 28, 2023: "What Is Sustainable Aviation Fuel? Richard Branson Flies Across Atlantic In Biofuel-Powered Plane" by Zachary Folk • Oct 28, 2022: "Behind The Scenes Of One Of The Most Sustainable And Exclusive Private Island Resort’s On Earth" by Michelle Gross • Oct 11, 2022: "How To Promote Inclusion: Virgin Atlantic Removes Gendered Uniforms" by Luciana Paulise • Jul 5, 2022: "This Is The Place Where High Achievers Gather: Introducing Summit" by Dr. Ruth Gotian • Feb 18, 2022: "‘SPAC King’ Chamath Palihapitiya Abruptly Resigns As Virgin Galactic Chair Amid Stock Crash" by Jonathan Ponciano • May 22, 2021: "Virgin Galactic Makes First Flight To Space From New Mexico Base As It Prepares To Carry Tourists Next Year" by Joe Walsh