TIMELINE OF RICHARD BRANSON’S LIFE`

1950 Born on July 18, 1950, in London, England

1967 Moves to London to start Student magazine and publishes the first issue the next year

1970 Starts Virgin Mail Order to sell records

1972 Marries Kristen Tomassi

1973 Launches Virgin Records and has a huge hit with Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells

1976 Divorces Kristen and meets Joan Templeman

1978 Buys Necker Island

1981 Daughter Holly is born

1984 Starts Virgin Atlantic Airways

1985 Son Sam is born

1986 Sets a speed record crossing the Atlantic Ocean by boat

1987 Becomes the first person to cross the Atlantic in a hot-air balloon Starts the Healthcare Foundation to fight HIV and AIDS

1989 Marries Joan at Necker Island

1992 Sells Virgin Records and becomes a billionaire

2000 Is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II

2004 Opens Virgin Galactic to bring people into space

2007 Founds the Elders with Nelson Mandela and Peter Gabriel Virgin America begins flying in the United States

2011 Sets a record as the oldest man to kite-surf across the English Channel

2013 Takes the Giving Pledge and promises to give most of his wealth to charity