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  • Blackheath, London, England, United Kingdom
    Thursday Jul 18, 1850

    Birth

    Blackheath, London, England, United Kingdom
    Thursday Jul 18, 1850

    Branson was born in Blackheath, London, to Eve Branson, a former ballet dancer and air hostess, and Edward James Branson (1918–2011), a barrister.




  • Stowe, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom
    1966

    Richard attended Stowe School

    Stowe, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom
    1966

    Richard attended Stowe School, an independent school in Buckinghamshire until the age of sixteen.




  • London, England, United Kingdom
    1966

    Branson launched a magazine named Student

    London, England, United Kingdom
    1966

    After failed attempts to grow and sell both Christmas trees and budgerigars, Branson launched a magazine named Student in 1966 with Nik Powell. The first issue of Student appeared in January 1968, and a year later, Branson's net worth was estimated at £50,000. The office for the venture was situated in the crypt of St. John's Church, off Bayswater Road, in London.




  • London, England, United Kingdom
    1967

    Branson started off squatting

    London, England, United Kingdom
    1967

    In London, Branson started off squatting from 1967 to 1968.




  • London, England, United Kingdom
    1971

    Branson was questioned in connection with the selling of records declared export stock

    London, England, United Kingdom
    1971

    Branson eventually started a record shop in Oxford Street in London. In 1971, he was questioned in connection with the selling of records declared export stock. The matter was never brought before a court because Branson agreed to repay any unpaid purchase tax of 33% and a £70,000 fine. His parents re-mortgaged the family home to help pay the settlement.




  • Oxford, England, United Kingdom
    1971

    The Manor Studio

    Oxford, England, United Kingdom
    1971

    Branson bought a country estate north of Oxford in which he installed a residential recording studio, The Manor Studio.




  • England, United Kingdom
    1972

    Virgin Records

    England, United Kingdom
    1972

    In 1972, using money earned from his record store, Branson launched the record label Virgin Records with Nik Powell. The name "Virgin" was suggested by one of Branson's early employees because they were all new at business.


  • London, England, United Kingdom
    1973

    First release for Virgin Records

    London, England, United Kingdom
    1973

    He leased studio time to fledgling artists, including multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield, whose debut album Tubular Bells (1973) was the first release for Virgin Records and became a chart-topping best-seller.


  • London, England, United Kingdom
    1982

    Virgin purchased the gay nightclub "Heaven"

    London, England, United Kingdom
    1982

    In 1982, Virgin purchased the gay nightclub "Heaven".


  • Crawley, England, United Kingdom
    1984

    Branson formed Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Cargo

    Crawley, England, United Kingdom
    1984

    Branson formed Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Cargo in 1984.


  • England, United Kingdom
    1985

    Branson formed Virgin Holidays

    England, United Kingdom
    1985

    Branson formed Virgin Holidays in 1985.


  • England, United Kingdom
    1991

    Branson made an unsuccessful bid for three ITV franchisees under the CPV-TV name

    England, United Kingdom
    1991

    In 1991, in a consortium with David Frost, Branson made an unsuccessful bid for three ITV franchisees under the CPV-TV name.


  • England, United Kingdom
    1992

    Branson sold the Virgin label to EMI

    England, United Kingdom
    1992

    In 1992, to keep his airline company afloat, Branson sold the Virgin label to EMI for £500 million.


  • England, United Kingdom
    1997

    Branson entering into the railway business

    England, United Kingdom
    1997

    In 1997, Branson took what many saw as being one of his riskier business exploits by entering into the railway business during the privatization of British Rail in the late 1990s.


  • England, United Kingdom
    1997

    Virgin Rail Group won the InterCity CrossCountry and InterCity West Coast franchises

    England, United Kingdom
    1997

    Virgin Rail Group won the InterCity CrossCountry and InterCity West Coast franchises, beginning operations in January and March 1997 respectively.


  • United Kingdom
    1999

    Branson launched Virgin Mobile

    United Kingdom
    1999

    Branson launched Virgin Mobile in 1999.


  • United Kingdom
    Thursday Dec 30, 1999

    Elizabeth II signified her intention to confer the honor of Knight Bachelor on him for his "services to entrepreneurship"

    United Kingdom
    Thursday Dec 30, 1999

    In the New Years Honours list dated 30 December 1999, Elizabeth II signified her intention to confer the honor of Knight Bachelor on him for his "services to entrepreneurship".


  • Buckingham Palace, London, England, United Kingdom
    Thursday Mar 30, 2000

    Branson was knighted by Charles, Prince of Wales

    Buckingham Palace, London, England, United Kingdom
    Thursday Mar 30, 2000

    Branson was knighted by Charles, Prince of Wales on 30 March 2000 at an investiture in Buckingham Palace.


  • Australia
    2000

    Branson launched Airline Virgin Blue

    Australia
    2000

    Branson launched Airline Virgin Blue in Australia in 2000.


  • Mojave, California, U.S
    Saturday Sep 25, 2004

    Virgin Galactic

    Mojave, California, U.S
    Saturday Sep 25, 2004

    On 25 September 2004, Branson announced the signing of a deal under which a new space tourism company, Virgin Galactic, will license the technology behind SpaceShipOne—funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and designed by aeronautical engineer Burt Rutan—to take paying passengers into suborbital outer space. Virgin Galactic plans to make flights available to the public with tickets priced at US$200,000 using the Scaled Composites White Knight Two.


  • U.S. and United Kingdom
    Jun, 2006

    UK and US competition authorities to investigate price-fixing attempts between Virgin Atlantic and British Airways

    U.S. and United Kingdom
    Jun, 2006

    In June 2006, a tip-off from Virgin Atlantic led both UK and US competition authorities to investigate price-fixing attempts between Virgin Atlantic and British Airways.


  • United Kingdom
    Tuesday Jul 4, 2006

    Branson sold his Virgin Mobile company to NTL:Telewest

    United Kingdom
    Tuesday Jul 4, 2006

    On 4 July 2006, Branson sold his Virgin Mobile company to UK cable TV, broadband, and telephone company NTL:Telewest for £900million.


  • England, United Kingdom
    Thursday Sep 21, 2006

    Branson pledged to invest the profits of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Trains in research for environmentally-friendly fuels

    England, United Kingdom
    Thursday Sep 21, 2006

    On 21 September 2006, Branson pledged to invest the profits of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Trains in research for environmentally-friendly fuels. The investment is estimated to be worth $3 billion.


  • Brussels Airport, Diegem, Machelen, Belgium
    2006

    Brussels Airlines

    Brussels Airport, Diegem, Machelen, Belgium
    2006

    In 2006, the airline was merged with SN Brussels Airlines forming Brussels Airlines.


  • U.S. and United Kingdom
    2006

    Branson formed Virgin Comics and Virgin Animation

    U.S. and United Kingdom
    2006

    In 2006, Branson formed Virgin Comics and Virgin Animation, an entertainment company focused on creating new stories and characters for a global audience. The company was founded with author Deepak Chopra, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, and entrepreneurs Sharad Devarajan and Gotham Chopra.


  • United Kingdom, and Qatar
    Thursday Feb 1, 2007

    Virgin Health Bank

    United Kingdom, and Qatar
    Thursday Feb 1, 2007

    Branson also launched the Virgin Health Bank on 1 February 2007, offering parents-to-be the opportunity to store their baby's umbilical cord blood stem cells in private and public stem-cell banks.


  • England, United Kingdom
    Thursday Feb 8, 2007

    Virgin Media

    England, United Kingdom
    Thursday Feb 8, 2007

    A new company was launched with much fanfare and publicity on 8 February 2007, under the name Virgin Media.


  • London, England, United Kingdom
    Friday Feb 9, 2007

    The Virgin Earth Challenge

    London, England, United Kingdom
    Friday Feb 9, 2007

    On 9 February 2007, Branson announced the setting up of a new global science and technology prize—The Virgin Earth Challenge—in the belief that history has shown that prizes of this nature encourage technological advancements for the good of mankind.


  • Makepeace Island, Noosa, Australia
    Jul, 2007

    Australian home

    Makepeace Island, Noosa, Australia
    Jul, 2007

    In July 2007, Branson purchased his Australian home, Makepeace Island, in Noosa.


  • Selangor, Malaysia
    Aug, 2007

    Branson announced that he bought a 20-percent stake in Malaysia's AirAsia X

    Selangor, Malaysia
    Aug, 2007

    In August 2007, Branson announced that he bought a 20-percent stake in Malaysia's AirAsia X.


  • San Francisco International Airport, California, U.S.
    Aug, 2007

    Virgin America

    San Francisco International Airport, California, U.S.
    Aug, 2007

    Another airline, Virgin America, began flying out of San Francisco International Airport in August 2007.


  • United Kingdom
    Saturday Oct 13, 2007

    Virgin Money

    United Kingdom
    Saturday Oct 13, 2007

    On 13 October 2007, Branson's Virgin Group sought to add Northern Rock to its empire after submitting an offer that would result in Branson personally owning 30% of the company and changing the company's name from Northern Rock to Virgin Money.


  • United Kingdom
    Thursday Jan 10, 2008

    Virgin Healthcare announced that it would open a chain of health care clinics

    United Kingdom
    Thursday Jan 10, 2008

    On 10 January 2008, Virgin Healthcare announced that it would open a chain of health care clinics that would offer conventional medical care alongside homeopathic and complementary therapies, a development that was welcomed by Ben Bradshaw, the UK's health minister.


  • United Kingdom
    Feb, 2009

    Branson's Virgin organization was reported as bidding to buy the former "Honda Formula One" team

    United Kingdom
    Feb, 2009

    In February 2009, Branson's Virgin organization was reported as bidding to buy the former "Honda Formula One" team. Branson later stated an interest in Formula One but claimed that, before the Virgin brand became involved with Honda or any other team, Formula One would have to develop a more economically efficient and environmentally responsible image.


  • Australia
    Mar, 2009

    It was announced that Virgin would be sponsoring the new Brawn GP team

    Australia
    Mar, 2009

    At the start of the 2009 Formula One season on 28 March, it was announced that Virgin would be sponsoring the new Brawn GP team, with discussions also underway about introducing a less "dirty" fuel in the medium term.


  • Nigeria
    2009

    Virgin Nigeria

    Nigeria
    2009

    It also started a national airline based in Nigeria, called Virgin Nigeria, which ceased operations in 2009.


  • Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
    2010

    First Virgin Hotel in the UK

    Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
    2010

    In 2010, Virgin Hotels was launched under the Virgin Group. In February 2018, Branson announced the first Virgin Hotel in the UK would open in Edinburgh.


  • Bristol, England, United Kingdom
    2010

    Branson became patron of the UK's Gordon Bennett 2010 gas balloon race

    Bristol, England, United Kingdom
    2010

    In 2010, Branson became patron of the UK's Gordon Bennett 2010 gas balloon race, which has 16 hydrogen balloons flying across Europe.


  • United Kingdom
    Apr, 2012

    Virgin Care commenced a five-year contract

    United Kingdom
    Apr, 2012

    In April 2012, Virgin Care commenced a five-year contract for the provision of a range of health services that had previously been under the aegis of NHS Surrey, the local primary care trust.


  • U.S.
    Jul, 2012

    LauncherOne

    U.S.
    Jul, 2012

    In July 2012, Branson announced plans to build an orbital space launch system, designated LauncherOne.


  • United Kingdom
    Oct, 2012

    Virgin Rail continued to operate the West Coast line

    United Kingdom
    Oct, 2012

    Virgin Rail continued to operate the West Coast line until 7 December 2019, when it was replaced by Avanti West Coast.


  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Sunday May 12, 2013

    Branson served his duty as a stewardess

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Sunday May 12, 2013

    Branson and Tony Fernandes, owner of Air Asia and Lotus F1 Racing, had a bet for the 2010 F1 season where the losing team's boss should work on the winner's airline during a charity flight dressed as a stewardess. Fernandes escaped as the bet winner, as Lotus Racing ended tenth in the championship, while Virgin Racing ended twelfth and last. Branson kept his word after losing the bet, as he served his duty as a stewardess on an Air Asia flight between Perth and Kuala Lumpur on 12 May 2013.


  • Berkeley, California, United Kingdom
    Sep, 2014

    Branson announced his investment in drone company 3D Robotics

    Berkeley, California, United Kingdom
    Sep, 2014

    In September 2014, Branson announced his investment in drone company 3D Robotics stating, "It's amazing to see what a little flying object with a GoPro attached can do. Before they came along the alternative was an expensive helicopter and crew. I'm really excited about the potential 3D Robotics sees in drones. They can do a lot of good in the world, and I hope this affordable technology will give many more people the chance to see our beautiful planet from such a powerful perspective."


  • England, United Kingdom
    Mar, 2015

    Virgin Trains East Coast commenced operating the InterCity East Coast franchise

    England, United Kingdom
    Mar, 2015

    In March 2015, Virgin Trains East Coast commenced operating the InterCity East Coast franchise; the company was a joint venture between Stagecoach (90%) and Virgin Group (10%).


  • U.S.
    Oct, 2017

    Branson appeared on the Season 9 Premiere of Shark Tank

    U.S.
    Oct, 2017

    In October 2017, Branson appeared on the Season 9 Premiere of Shark Tank as a guest investor, where he invested in Locker Board, a sustainable line of skateboards invented by 11-year-old, Carson Kropfl.


  • Los Angeles, California, U.S.
    2017

    Virgin Group invested in Hyperloop One

    Los Angeles, California, U.S.
    2017

    In 2017, Virgin Group invested in Hyperloop One, developing a strategic partnership between the two. Branson joined the board of directors, and in December 2017, became its chairman.


  • Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
    Apr, 2018

    Branson announced the acquisition of the Las Vegas based Hard Rock Casino-Hotel

    Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
    Apr, 2018

    In April 2018, Branson announced the acquisition of the Las Vegas-based Hard Rock Casino-Hotel with plans to re-brand the property under his Virgin Hotels business. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas opened on March 25, 2021.


  • France
    Sep, 2018

    Branson took part in his fourth Virgin Strive Challenge

    France
    Sep, 2018

    In September 2018, Branson took part in his fourth Virgin Strive Challenge, where he and a core team traveled more than 2,000 km from Cagliari in Sardinia to the summit of Mont Blanc entirely under human and sail power. It was a grueling month-long challenge where they hiked, biked, and kayaked across Europe and had a near-miss on Mont Blanc when a rockfall rained down on them as they crossed the perilous Gouter Couloir. They raised more than £1m for Holly and Sam Branson's charity Big Change, which supports young people.


  • Cúcuta, Colombia
    Friday Feb 22, 2019

    Venezuela Aid Live

    Cúcuta, Colombia
    Friday Feb 22, 2019

    In February 2019, Branson helped organize an international benefit concert, Venezuela Aid Live, to bring worldwide attention to the humanitarian crisis and raise funds for humanitarian aid. The concert took place on 22 February in Cúcuta, Colombia, on the Venezuelan border.


  • England, United Kingdom
    Tuesday May 5, 2020

    The airline would lay off 3,000 staff

    England, United Kingdom
    Tuesday May 5, 2020

    On 5 May 2020, it was announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline would lay off 3,000 staff, reduce the fleet size to 35 by the summer of 2022, retire the Boeing 747-400s, and would not resume operations from Gatwick following the pandemic.


  • Edge of Space
    Sunday Jul 11, 2021

    Richard Branson took a flight with Beth Moses, Sirisha Bandla, and Colin Bennett and reached the edge of space

    Edge of Space
    Sunday Jul 11, 2021

    On 11 July 2021, Richard Branson took a flight with Beth Moses, Sirisha Bandla, and Colin Bennett and reached the edge of space (86 kilometers or 53 miles) on a Virgin Galactic spacecraft called VSS Unity. This made him the first billionaire founder of a space company to travel to the edge of space.


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