‘She had a zest for life’ Virgin boss’s mum dies

West Wittering’s Eve Branson – mother of entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson – has been remembered as a ‘fearless’ mum, who had ‘such zest for life’.

Sir Richard announced his mother’s death in a heartfelt post on social media on Monday.

According to her son, Eve,

96, died despite ‘managing to fight off ’ Covid-19.

He wrote: “I’m sorry to share that, sadly like a lot of people’s mums and dads right now in these days of Covid, my mum Eve has also passed away.

“Rather than mourn her loss, I wanted to celebrate her wonderful life and the joy she brought to so many.

“She was a force of nature who lived many remarkable lives and will live on in the hearts of all she loved. Sending love to all of you who have lost a loved one recently.”

Eve, a grandmother of 11 and great-grandmother of ten, was a philanthropist and child welfare advocate. Writing on his blog, Sir Richard, the founder of the Virgin Group, said: “Mum was 96 years old, but had the same enthusiasm and energy she had when I was a boy.

“As for so many of us in these days of Covid, it feels so strange that the person who has always been there for us, with such zest for life, is gone.

“She took glider lessons disguised as a boy, enlisted in the WRENS during World

War II, toured Germany as a ballet dancer after the war, acted on the West End stage and worked as a pioneering air hostess on the treacherous British South American Airways routes. “When I was growing up she was always working a project; she was inventive, fearless, relentless – an entrepreneur before the word existed.”

Eve lived on the Cakeham Manor estate in West Wittering.

On Facebook, many paid tribute to Eve, describing her as a lovely, kind lady who always had a smile.

Clare Benfield added: “She will be missed and would not have given in without a fight. Love and best wishes to all the family.” Pic: Getty