Lady Joan Templeman, the wife of Sir Richard Branson, could have had her death prevented if she had received medication for a blood clot, according to a coroner's investigation. Professor Fiona Wilcox, senior coroner from Inner West London Coroner’s Court, stated that Templeman did not receive blood thinner medications that could have prevented harmful blood clots. Templeman, who died at age 80 on November 24, 2025, suffered a pulmonary embolism, a blockage in a lung artery caused by a blood clot in deep veins. Wilcox noted, "I do find her death would have likely been prevented and the lack of anticoagulation did cause or contribute to her death probably."
The investigation revealed that Templeman's daughter, Holly, expressed concerns about her mother's treatment at Lister Hospital, where she was admitted following a fall at their Necker Island home. Holly stated that her mother was accustomed to taking anti-blood clot injections and would have been concerned had she known Templeman was not receiving the medication.
Dr. Basir Kunduzi, who was on duty at Lister Hospital, indicated that he believed Templeman should have received the medication but did not administer it due to concerns about a potential bleeding risk after her fall. He later expressed regret for this decision. Dr. Nevil Pavithran, who took over Templeman's care, stated that she should have received the medication within 12 hours of her admission and claimed there was no bleeding risk from administering the medication. Dr. Bovill, another physician involved in her care, admitted he should have been more assertive in ensuring Templeman received the injections.
Richard Branson announced his wife's death on Instagram in November 2025, expressing heartbreak and describing her as a wonderful mother and grandmother.