Biography

Was featured in the Friends (1994) episode, The One with Ross's Wedding: Part 1 (1998), when "Friends" went to London. In the episode, he sold British souvenirs to Joey and Chandler. It had been reported he was very nervous about forgetting his lines but all went well. It was noticeable in all the scenes in the episode, which featured airports or airplanes, show the logo of "Virgin Atlantic", the airline of Richard Branson.

When he started his record label, the first artist he signed was his school friend, Mike Oldfield. His album-length composition, "Tubular Bells", became a multi-million seller after it was used as the theme to the horror film L'Exorciste (1973).

Dropped out of school when he was 15.

His first business, a used record store, was called "Virgin Records" because it was his first business venture ever.

Co-founded, with Nelson Mandela and Peter Gabriel, the world human rights advocacy group The Elders.

For a successful entrepreneur it can mean extreme wealth. But with extreme wealth comes extreme responsibility. And the responsibility for me is to invest in creating new businesses, create jobs, employ people, and to put money aside to tackle issues where we can make a difference.

A generation ago, the image was that you had to trample everyone else down to succeed - but I don't believe that makes good business sense. If you're the kind of person that jumps down the throat of people, you're not going to be successful.

The funny thing is people won't let me pay for things. I'll be in a restaurant and the manager will say: "Oh no, it's on the house."

I'm a bit like the Queen in that I don't carry much cash.

If you're embarking around the world in a hot-air balloon, don't forget the toilet paper.