richard branson’s wife, Lady Joan Sarah Drummond Branson, died at London Bridge Hospital on November 24 from a blood clot after complications from a fall-induced back injury two weeks earlier. The family said at a pre-inquest review hearing that it was not looking to blame anyone, while an inquest in September will examine whether blood thinners or anti-clot stockings should have been used.
Inner West London Coroners’ Court
The hearing at Inner West London Coroners’ Court put the cause of death on the record before the inquest. Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox said the upcoming hearing would establish whether Lady Branson was wearing TED stockings, and she said statements from an expert witness would be needed to determine whether a prescription of heparin would have prevented her death.
That question sits against a documented history of blood clots that went back to at least 2010. In 2018, Branson said Joan had once woken up to find her leg three times its normal size and that doctors described the case as the worst they had ever seen.
Holly Branson Hearing
Holly Branson told the court, “I believe mum had great care. The doctors saved her life three years ago, giving us all three more years together. We just want to help other families if there are any lessons to be learned.” She also said, “We just want to help other families.”
Her father was in the same hospital when Joan died because he had hurt his shoulder falling off a bike in India. Sir Richard Branson announced her death on Instagram on November 25 last year, writing, “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. Love you forever, Joan x”
September Inquest
The September inquest will focus on whether anti-clot stockings or heparin should have been used for a patient with a known clotting history. For families following the case, the practical issue is narrow and specific: the hearing is not about assigning blame, but about whether the care she received matched the risk her record presented.
