Sir Richard Branson – Net Worth, Money and More
Net worth: $ 4.6 Billion
Sir Branson
Sir Richard Branson is an English Business mogul and investor. He is the owner of the entire Virgin empire. The Virgin group comprises about 400 companies. Branson is the 6th richest person in the United kingdom. He started his first project at the age of 16 which was a magazine called Student. He is a highly charismatic and exuberant person. He believes in enjoying every single minute of his life. ‘ Losing my Virginity’, his autobiography, is absolutely worth reading. He is an outcome of sheer passion and hard work. He believes that one should indulge in only those activities which excites him/her. He is certainly a personality to emulate. Let us explore his life!
Early life
Branson was born on July 18, 1950 in Black heath, London. He had dyslexia as a child and had poor academic grades. But he had an amazing ability of connecting easily with people. On the last day of his high school, his headmaster told him that either he will end up in prison or become a billionaire. The latter proved out to be true apparently. Branson’s parents were very supporting and understanding. They were a true inspiration for young Richard.
Business ventures
Sir Branson after losing a bet!
At the age of merely 16 Branson started his own magazine named ‘ Student’. It was an overnight success. He then started selling records under the name ‘Virgin’. The price for these records were lower than the Branded stores and therefore this Business worked pretty well. Branson then established the ‘Virgin records’ in 1972 with a colleague. They bought a real estate and erected a recorded studio in it. They signed many successful musicians to it thereafter including the controversial band ‘ Sex pistols’. The Virgin record was an overnight sensation. He started the Virgin airlines in 1984, the Virgin mobile in 1999 and the Virgin Blue in 2000.
Richard Branson was once quoted saying, ” My interest in life comes from setting myself huge, apparently unachievable challenges and trying to rise above them … from the perspective of wanting to live life to the full, I felt that I had to attempt it” .
In 1993 Branson took a very risky chance of exploiting the railway business. He opened up the Virgin Railways. In 2006, he launched world’s first space tourism project called, Virgin Galactic.
Personal Life
Screw it!
Branson has a daughter and a son. The name of his daughter is Holly and the name of his son his Sam. In 1998, Branson released an autobiography, Losing my Virginity, which is an international best-seller. Branson derives his inspiration from non-fiction books. He is deeply inspired by Nelson Mandela and is a huge fan of his book, Long Walk to freedom. He was once quoted as saying, “one of the most inspiring men I have ever met and had the honor to call my friend.” He has written a few other books such as Screw It and Let’s do It.
Television and films
Branson has guest starred in many T.V. shows such as Friends, Baywatch, Birds of a feather, Only fools and horses and The day today. He was also the star of the Television Reality show The rebel Billionare. He has starred in many movies such as Casino royale, Around the world in 80 days and Superman returns. In march 2008, he launched Virgin mobile in India and played a cameo in the movie, London Dreams. In 2012, Branson became a LinkedIn Influence.
Wealth
Richard’s Island!
Virgin group now includes 200 companies in 30 countries, consisting of airlines, music , mobile and other businesses. Branson owns two 2 caribbean islands. Richarded Branson formed Virgin fuels, a company devoted to search for an alternative fuel.
Awards and Accolades
Branson was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Technology from Loughborough University in1993. In 2000, Branson received the ‘Tony Jannus Award’ for his efforts in commercial air transportation. He was included inthe Time magazines’ ‘Hundred most influential people in the world’. Branson was voted the UK’s “Celebrity Dream Boss” in 2009. In 2011, Branson was awarded the German Media Prize. Branson was awarded the ISTA Prize by the International Space Transport Association in The Hague for his ‘ Virgin Atlantic’ initiative. On 2 June 2013, Sir Richard Branson accepted an honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from Kaunas Technology University in Kaunas, Lithuania
Famous Richard Branson quotes
“Some 80% of your life is spent working. You want to have fun at home; why shouldn’t you have fun at work?”
“Complexity is your enemy. Any fool can make something complicated. It is hard to keep things simple.”
“A company is people … employees want to know… am I being listened to or am I a cog in the wheel? People really need to feel wanted.”
“I don’t think of work as work and play as play. It’s all living.”
“Most necessary evils are far more necessary than evil.”
“Engage your emotions at work. Your instincts and emotions are there to help you.”
“You can never go too far wrong by thinking like a customer who’s new to the business.”
“You shouldn’t blindly accept a leader’s advice. You’ve got to question leaders on occasion.”
“I believe that drudgery and clock-watching are a terrible betrayal of that universal, inborn entrepreneurial spirit.”
“The time to go into a new business is when it’s badly run by others.”
“There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions – in a way that serves the world and you.”
