Like so many people celebrating milestones at the height of the pandemic, Sir Richard Branson was forced to postpone his 70th birthday party two years ago.
But the British billionaire made up for lost time when he finally marked the milestone with a huge birthday bash on the high seas last week.
Sir Richard, now 72, was surprised with a five-night Caribbean cruise aboard one of his adult-only Virgin Voyages luxury ships, traveling to Miami, Mexico and Bimini in the Bahamas.
Friends including Spanx founder Sarah Blakely and glamorous Dutch model-actress Nicolette van Dam toasted his birthday at a series of events including a white party and a ‘Richard Through the Decades’ soiree.
Musician son Sam, 37, performed a song called Sympathy For The Legend – inspired by the Rolling Stones’ hit, and proud daughter Holly, 40, was by her dad’s side as the band sang the chorus of Happy Birthday in the ship’s two-story club.
“The first big surprise was seeing everyone dressed as different moments in my life,” Sir Richard wrote in a blog post shared exclusively with FEMAIL.
Time for party! Sir Richard Branson made up for lost time and celebrated his 70th birthday with a belated week-long cruise on one of his Virgin Voyages ships. The British entrepreneur is pictured with children Holly, 40, and Sam, 37, in the ship’s two-story club
Dress to impress! Dutch model-actress Nicolette van Dam and boyfriend Bass Smith pose with birthday boy Richard at his 70th birthday party through the decades. The entrepreneur admitted it was a “surprise” to board the ship and see everyone dressed like him
Cruise with alcohol! Mother-of-three Holly Branson, pictured left pouring drinks into a party-goer’s mouth, said she drank far more than she had for a while and had ‘two dinners in one night’
Magnificent Sunset: Guests had access to the beautiful Scarlet Lady, which can accommodate 2,770 passengers in 1,400 cabins. In the picture one of the pools at sunset
‘Birthday to remember’: What Sir Richard had to say about his birthday bash
It was wonderful to be together for my 70th birthday on board Virgin Voyages surrounded by friends and family (well to be honest it was my 72nd birthday, my 70th birthday was delayed by two years because of COVID!)
It was five days full of surprises that brought our family and friends – and I believe everyone on the cruise – so much joy. I had no idea anything was planned in advance.
The first big surprise was seeing everyone dressed up as different moments in my life. It was a little weird, but also hilarious to see the creativity and fun my friends and family had put into their costumes, from people in mini-hot air balloons to torn clothes from very silly near-death adventures to recreating my days in Student Magazine in the sixties. Thanks to everyone for their ingenuity, it really put a smile on my face.
We also did some brilliant shore excursions. Holly, Sam and I went to explore the most incredible cave system in Mexico’s Rio Secreto that stretches for miles along the coast. It was truly spectacular, full of stalagmites and stalactites. They were rediscovered in 2006 when a landowner chased an iguana into a hole and came across these stunning caves. At one point we were asked to turn off our head torches and it was so dark – I have never seen or experienced anything like it.
The ship then headed to Bimini where Virgin Voyages has the most amazing beach club. We spent some time relaxing before meeting a group of inspiring Bimini entrepreneurs and business owners at a surprise event hosted by Virgin Voyages and the Branson Center of Entrepreneurship. I love hearing new ideas and seeing what entrepreneurs are doing in different parts of the world – I find it so invigorating.
Virgin Voyages has also teamed up with Virgin Unite, the not-for-profit foundation of the Virgin Group, to create a ‘Sea Change Fund’ to support mangrove restoration projects in the Caribbean. Mangroves support coastal resilience against natural disasters and play a vital role in mitigating the effects of climate change, while maintaining biodiversity by providing essential habitat for birds, fish and other animals. I am excited that this project has started and I hope that it can serve as a blueprint for other parts of the world.
I’ve had such a truly wonderful combination of spending time with friends and family we haven’t seen in one place in years (if ever!), making the most of our stay on our fantastic new cruise ship, and taking part in some activities close to my heart me in support of entrepreneurs and environmental protection.
Thank you all for making my birthday such a surprise and joyful celebration.
The blog post is also on the Virgin website here.
“It was a little weird but also hilarious to see the creativity and fun my friends and family had put into their costumes, from people in mini-hot air balloons to torn clothes from very silly near-death adventures to recreating my days in Student Magazine in the sixties.
The journey aboard The Scarlet Lady with 2,770 passengers began at the ship’s port of call in Miami. The ship sails to Mexico, where Sir Richard explores a cave system with his children.
“It was really spectacular, full of stalagmites and stalactites,” Sir Richard said of the excursion.
“They were rediscovered in 2006 when a landowner chased an iguana into a hole and came across these stunning caves. At one point we were asked to turn off our head torches and it was so dark – I have never seen or experienced anything like it.
Daddy’s girl: Sir Richard managed to spend time with daughter Holly, pictured together, and son Sam during the five-night Caribbean cruise
Party people: Holly Branson and her husband, center, pose for photos with some of their friends at the entrance to The Manor, Scarlet Lady’s two-story entertainment space
Poker face: Entrepreneur Bass Smith shared this photo of playing cards with Sir Richard Branson at the casino. The Virgin mogul was joined by family and friends on the private cruise
Happy Birthday! Sir Richard, who turned 72 last week, received a cake with 70 crossed out for the belated celebrations
Fun times in the open sea! Dutch model and TV presenter Nicolette van Dam, left, poses for a photo with Sam Branson and his wife Isabella, right, during one of the parties
Night of the Thousand Richards! One of the parties was themed around Sir Richard Branson’s many looks over the years
I succeeded! Nicolette van Dam and her entrepreneur partner nailed the theme with their looks
The ship then headed to Bimini, in the Bahamas, where Virgin Voyages has a private beach club.
Sir Richard continued: “We spent some time relaxing before meeting a group of inspiring Bimini entrepreneurs and business owners at a surprise event organized by Virgin Voyages and the Branson Center of Entrepreneurship.
“I love hearing new ideas and seeing what entrepreneurs are doing in different parts of the world – I find it so invigorating.”
The entrepreneur also found time to play cards with friends in the ship’s casino, and the group partied the night away at The Manor, a two-story club with a stage, three bars and an Art Deco-inspired design.
looks familiar? Two partygoers chose to drag Richard Branson when he lost a bet in 2013 (right)
I’m eating out! Holly Branson and her husband, center, with some of their friends during one of the stops
Sharing a selection of photos, Holly wrote: ‘Such a perfect, perfect week celebrating Dad’s birthday with @virginvoyages and some of our closest friends and family!
“Non-stop laughing, dancing, swimming and drinking more than we’ve done in a long time!” I even had two nights!
“This is what happens when you board an adults-only ship, although our own children put up quite an impressive fight to try and join us on board!
“Thank you @virginvoyages for organizing a trip we will never forget and thank you to everyone who came and made it so memorable.”
Sir Richard added: “I’ve had a really wonderful mix of spending time with friends and family we haven’t seen in one place for years (if ever!), making the most of being on board our fantastic new cruise ship and to participate in some activities close to my heart, supporting entrepreneurs and protecting the environment.
Sir Richard met inspiring Bimini entrepreneurs and business owners at a surprise event organized by Virgin Voyages and the Branson Center for Entrepreneurship, pictured
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