Timeline: Richard Branson Timeline

Jul 18, 1950

Birth of Richard Branson

On this day Richard Branson was born to Edward James and Eve Branson in London, England.

1966

Branson Drops Out

At the age of 16, Branson dropped out of the Stowe School, located in Buckinghamshire. His headmaster tells him that he will end up either in prison or as a millionaire.

1968

First Issue of the Student Magazine

Branson's Student magazine, co-founded with Nik Powell, releases its first issue in January.

1969

Branson Reaches £50,000

In only a year of running the Student magazine, Branson's net worth is estimated to reach £50,000 (~$62,000), the equivalent of about £668,000 (~$829,000) today.

1971

Music Man Branson

Branson opens a record shop on Oxford Street, London, one of the busiest shopping areas in all of Europe.

1972

Founding of Virgin

Branson, Powell, Simon Draper, and Tom Newman found Virgin Records. They would sign many famous artists and groups like The Rolling Stones, Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, Phil Collins, Genesis, and more.

1979

Branson's Net Worth hits £5,000,000

Branson is estimated to have reached a net worth of £5,000,000 ($6,200,000) in 1979, which is approximately £22,660,000 ($28,090,000) today.

1980

Virgin Records goes International

For the first time, Virgin Records expands beyond the UK into the international stage.

Jun 22, 1984

Creation of Virgin Atlantic

Branson launches his transatlantic airline, Virgin Atlantic.

1987

Virgin Records enters the United States

Although Virgin Records went international in 1980, it wasn't until 1987 that they reached the US market.

1992

Branson sells Virgin Records

In order to keep Virgin Atlantic from going under, Branson is forced to sell Virgin Records to EMI.

Sep 25, 2004

Branson creates Virgin Galactic

Branson founded his space tourism company Virgin Galactic in 2004. However, it wasn't until February 2022 that ticket sales are opened up to the public.