Richard Branson 's marriage to his late wife Joan Templeman was rocked to its core by a baby death trauma, those close to the couple say shook their marriage even as it endured half a century.

As RadarOnline.com reported, the Virgin founder announced this week his beloved partner had died aged 80, calling her "the most wonderful mum and grandmum" in a tribute. Article continues below advertisement

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Friends have now said say the couple's early tragedy in 1979 cast a shadow they carried for life.

Their love story, which began in 1976 when Branson first saw Templeman at The Manor, his Virgin Records studio, was marked by infatuati

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