Sir Richard Branson announced the news his wife of 50 years has sadly died aged 80 in a heartbreaking post shared on Instagram today. The entrepreneur has been flooded with messages of support from celebrity pals and fans alike. The Virgin tycoon, 75, penned an emotional message on Tuesday telling fans he had lost his "best friend". The dad-of-three took to the picture sharing site and wrote: "Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.

She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for. She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world."

He finished: "Love you forever, Joan x." His statement was accompanied by a professional photo of his wife. But just days before Sir Richard had shared a final photo of the couple out at an event together.

Pictured alongside Joan he could be seen placing a kiss on her cheek as she beamed at the camera. The photo was shared on Instagram just over a week ago on November 15.

He captioned the heartwarming photo: "Everyone needs a Joan in their life."

Richard shared the sweet post just days before Joan's death with his five million followers.

Lady Joan was thought to be in good health when she celebrated her 80th birthday this summer, with Sir Richard paying tribute to her on his social media.

"Thank you for being by my side through it all - the highs, the lows, and all those quiet, content and peaceful moments in between. These are the moments I cherish most with you, I love you more and more each year," he wrote on Facebook in July.

The couple had been looking forward to their 50th wedding anniversary which was just months away on February 7.

Born Joan Templeman in Glasgow, Scotland in 1945, she had hailed from humble beginnings with her father working as a ship carpenter to support her and her six siblings.

Sir Richard previously described how he met Joan on February 7, 1976 at the Virgin Records studio, the Manor, where he "experienced love at first sight upon meeting a blonde-haired, down to earth, Scottish beauty named Joan, who just happened to be making a cup of tea".

The couple went on to have three children together but Joan preferred to keep a relatively low profile opting to stay out of the limelight.