Early Life and Education
Ernest Richard Branson was born on 18 July 1950 in Blackheath, London, England, the second of three children of Edward James Branson, a barrister‑solicitor, and Eve Branson (née Gibbons), a former air stewardess who later became a schoolteacher. The Branson family moved frequently due to the father’s legal work, exposing young Richard to a range of social settings. He attended Scaitcliffe School, a preparatory institution in Surrey, where he showed an early interest in entrepreneurship, selling seashells and operating a small lemonade stand during holidays.
At the age of 11, Branson was diagnosed with dyslexia, a condition that made traditional schooling challenging. He attended St owe College, a private school near London, but left at 16 without completing formal qualifications. Branson has repeatedly described his dyslexia as a catalyst for thinking laterally and avoiding conventional corporate pathways.
During his teenage years, Branson worked part‑time for a local record shop, where he learned about music distribution and retail. He also spent time at a local airfield, assisting his mother in cleaning aircraft—a pastime that later informed his fascination with aviation.
