#11: Virgin’s Richard Branson and Joan Templeman

“Lady Branson,” the enigmatic and steadfast partner of the British billionaire titan Sir Richard Branson, has often remained shrouded in mystery, with her story rarely unveiled to the public eye. At the time of their fateful meeting, she was still entwined in a marriage with a Scottish keyboard virtuoso, Ronnie Leahy. However, Sir Richard’s indomitable spirit was undeterred by such complexities.

In a bid to capture her heart, the visionary founder of the Virgin Group orchestrated a romantic masterpiece, one that saw him arranging a breathtaking flyover of the captivating Necker Island, nestled in the British Virgin Islands. Ostensibly interested in purchasing the island, the flight was, in truth, an elaborate excuse to sweep her away on a mesmerizing helicopter ride. In 1978, he acquired the island for $180,000, and the two lived and raised their two children there.