Richard Branson, the well-known British entrepreneur, has faced many challenges in his life. But perhaps none were as heartbreaking as the loss of his first child, Clare Sarah Branson, just days after her birth.
In this article, we’ll look back at Clare’s short life and the impact she had on her family.
Who Was Clare Sarah Branson?
Clare Sarah Branson was born in 1979 in Inverness, Scotland. She was the first child of Richard Branson and his then-partner, Joan Templeman. Sadly, Clare arrived about three months premature, at just 25 weeks gestation.
Despite the best efforts of medical staff, Clare passed away at only four days old due to respiratory failure. It was a tragic loss for the young couple, who were not yet married at the time. Clare was laid to rest in an unmarked communal grave at Tomnahurich Cemetery in Inverness, alongside other infants who died too soon.
Family and Background
Richard Branson and Joan Templeman met in 1976. Joan worked in an antique shop in London, while Richard was already building his Virgin business empire. The couple fell in love and moved in together, although they didn’t marry until 1989 on Richard’s private Caribbean island, Necker Island.
Clare Sarah was their first child together. Her birth and death occurred during the early, tumultuous years of Virgin’s growth. Despite the demands of his business, the loss of his first daughter left an indelible mark on Richard.
Clare Sarah Branson’s Parents and Siblings
After the heartbreak of losing Clare, Richard and Joan went on to have two more children. Holly was born in 1981, followed by Sam in 1985. Both have gone on to become successful adults involved in the family businesses. Holly is now Chair of Virgin Unite, the entrepreneurial foundation of the Virgin Group, as well as founder of Big Change, a charity that supports young people. Sam is an actor and co-founder of the production company Sundog Pictures. He’s also helped produce several documentaries.
Despite building their family after Clare, Richard has said that they never forgot their firstborn. The couple held a small memorial service for Clare and placed a plaque bearing her name in a local Catholic church.
What Happened To Richard Branson’s First Child?
Clare Sarah Branson was born extremely premature at around 25 weeks gestation. In 1979, neonatal intensive care was still quite rudimentary compared to today’s standards. Premature infants, especially those born before 28 weeks, faced a steep battle to survive.
Weighing likely around 1-2 pounds, Clare would have been rushed to an incubator and given breathing support. However, her tiny lungs were too underdeveloped to function properly. After four days of life, Clare succumbed to respiratory failure. It’s a fate that many premature babies faced in the 1970s before surfactant and advanced ventilators were available.
For Richard and Joan, those four days were precious yet heartbreaking. Richard has recalled holding Clare’s tiny hand through the incubator portholes. Despite the grief, they were grateful for the short time they had with their firstborn daughter.
Tragic Passing and Its Impact
Losing a child is one of the most devastating experiences a parent can face. For Richard and Joan, their grief was compounded by the fact that Clare’s death came so unexpectedly and so soon after the joy and anticipation of becoming parents.
In the immediate aftermath, they had to grapple with the paperwork and practicalities of laying their tiny daughter to rest. The couple opted for Clare to be buried in a communal grave for infants, as was common practice. There, she was placed alongside other babies whose lives were also cut tragically short.
Remembering Clare Sarah Branson
While the couple went on to have two more children, Holly and Sam, in the following years, the memory of Clare Sarah remained with them. Richard has spoken about the importance of remembering that he is a father of three children, not just the two that the public sees.
In 2018, Richard’s daughter Holly gave him a deeply meaningful gift. She located Clare’s unmarked grave in Inverness and placed a headstone there in her memory. The simple granite marker bears Clare’s name, the dates of her short life, and a touching inscription: “Our first child who lies here unnamed but never forgotten.”
The Branson Family’s Strength Through Loss
The loss of a child can tear a family apart or bring them closer together. For the Bransons, it seems to have been the latter. Richard has spoken about how going through such a profound loss deepened his bond with Joan in those early years of their relationship.
The couple leaned on each other for support during the darkest of times. That foundation of love and mutual support has undoubtedly played a role in the strength and closeness of the Branson family today. Holly and Sam both enjoy warm relationships with their parents and are involved in the family businesses.
Legacy and Influence on Richard Branson’s Life
While Clare Sarah Branson’s life was heartbreakingly brief, her impact has been enduring. Experiencing such a profound loss at a young age undoubtedly shaped Richard Branson as a person and as a father.
In his autobiography, Richard reflected on how Clare’s death changed his perspective. He wrote, “Losing a child at any age is devastating. When you lose a child before you’ve even had the chance to get to know them, the pain is unimaginable.”
That empathy and understanding of profound human loss may have influenced Richard’s approach to business and philanthropy. He’s known for his people-first leadership style and his commitment to using business as a force for good in the world.
Final Words
The story of Clare Sarah Branson is one of love, loss, and a family’s resilience in the face of unimaginable grief. While her life was brief, her memory lives on in the hearts of her parents and siblings.For Richard Branson, the experience of losing his first child has shaped him in profound ways. It’s deepened his appreciation for family, his empathy for others, and perhaps even his drive to make a positive difference in the world.
In remembering Clare Sarah Branson, we honor the love her parents had for her and the indelible impact she had on their lives. Her story reminds us of the precious fragility of life and the power of love and family to carry us through even the darkest of times.
