When people think of Richard Branson, they picture the flamboyant billionaire behind the Virgin Group, a man known for his risk-taking business ventures and high-profile media presence. Yet few know about the woman who stood beside him in the very early years of his journey — Kristen Tomassi, his first wife and a woman shrouded in mystery and elegance. Despite the fame surrounding her ex-husband, Kristen has maintained a remarkably private life. So, who exactly is she, and why does she continue to intrigue so many?
Who Is Kristen Tomassi?
A Brief Introduction
Kristen Tomassi is best known as the first wife of Richard Branson, the British entrepreneur who went on to become a global business tycoon. But Kristen is much more than just a footnote in Branson’s story. She’s an intelligent, independent woman who once shared a vision and a life with a man destined for greatness.
Why She Captured Public Curiosity
It’s not just the marriage that intrigues people — it’s the fact that Kristen has lived a life almost entirely away from the limelight. In an era where even distant acquaintances of celebrities have social media followings, Kristen Tomassi has chosen complete privacy. That in itself has become a source of fascination.
What Was Kristen Tomassi’s Early Life Like?
Family Background and Upbringing
Born in the United States in the 1950s, Kristen grew up in a well-off family. Her father, Joseph H. Tomassi, held a senior executive role at Libby-Owens-Ford, a prominent glass manufacturing company. With a comfortable upbringing, Kristen had access to a quality education and cultivated interests that leaned towards the arts, architecture, and design.
Education and Academic Pursuits
Parsons School of Design and Architectural Aspirations
Kristen studied at the Parsons School of Design, one of the world’s leading institutions for art and design education, and later attended the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London. Her focus on architecture hinted at a keen eye for aesthetics, form, and creativity.
Interest in Design and Creativity
This passion wasn’t just academic. Kristen reportedly had an adventurous spirit and a modern outlook on life — attributes that aligned with the youthful energy of 1970s London. Her interest in design likely influenced many of the projects and conversations she had during her short-lived marriage to Branson.
How Did Kristen Tomassi Meet Richard Branson?
The Beginning of a High-Profile Romance
Kristen met Richard Branson in the early 1970s when both were still very young, barely in their twenties. Branson was already showing signs of becoming a business maverick, having launched Student magazine and later Virgin Records. Their connection was instant, and despite their youth, they married in 1972.
Wedding and Early Years Together
Life as the Wife of a Budding Tycoon
Their marriage was full of energy and experimentation. Richard and Kristen travelled frequently, explored new ideas together, and attempted to build a life that married ambition with affection. However, this early union would soon show cracks.
Travel and Shared Dreams
They even set sail across the Atlantic on a yacht — a voyage that was meant to be romantic but turned disastrous due to sea sickness and tension. These misadventures hinted that perhaps their paths were diverging even as they tried to align them.
Why Did Kristen Tomassi and Richard Branson Divorce?
Turbulent Times in Paradise
Like many young marriages, Kristen and Richard’s relationship was marked by passion and chaos. They married young — Kristen was only 20 — and soon realised their personalities, ambitions, and emotional maturity weren’t fully in sync.
The Role of Youth and Ambition
Branson himself has acknowledged in interviews that their youth played a significant role in their separation. They were both idealists, trying to build a life without fully understanding themselves or each other.
Branson’s Affair and the Emotional Fallout
The final blow came when Branson engaged in an affair with another woman, which deeply affected Kristen. Their marriage ended not long after. They officially divorced in 1979, after about four years of being together.
What Has Kristen Tomassi Been Doing Since the Divorce?
Life After Richard Branson
Unlike many ex-spouses of famous individuals, Kristen Tomassi did not pursue fame, interviews, or book deals. Instead, she quietly resumed her life, far away from media scrutiny.
Career Moves and Personal Choices
There is very limited public information about Kristen’s professional life after Branson. However, it’s believed that she continued to explore her passion for architecture and design and later settled into a quieter, more stable domestic life.
Embracing a Low-Profile Lifestyle
Kristen eventually remarried and lived in the US. She has not been involved in any public controversies or media spectacles, preferring instead to stay under the radar.
How Is Kristen Tomassi Viewed Today?
A Woman Beyond a Famous Name
Kristen is often remembered in the media as the “first wife of Richard Branson,” but she deserves recognition as a creative mind and a resilient individual who chose dignity over drama.
Public Perception vs. Private Reality
The public’s image of her is largely shaped by her absence from the spotlight. Yet those who knew her or have spoken about her describe her as warm, thoughtful, and strong-willed — a woman who shaped a chapter in Branson’s life that ultimately influenced his future.
Kristen Tomassi vs Joan Templeman: A Comparison
Richard Branson’s life included two major romantic relationships. Here’s how Kristen compares to Joan Templeman, his second and current wife:
| Attribute | Kristen Tomassi | Joan Templeman |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage Year | 1972 | 1989 |
| Profession | Architecture Student | Former Shop Assistant |
| Marriage Duration | ~4 Years | 30+ Years (ongoing) |
| Public Visibility | Low | Moderate |
| Kids with Branson | None | Three |
Why Does Kristen Tomassi Remain a Fascinating Figure?
Mystery Adds to Legacy
Part of what makes Kristen Tomassi so compelling is the mystery that surrounds her. She’s rarely seen in public, doesn’t maintain a public profile, and has allowed the past to remain in the past.
The Allure of the “One Who Got Away”
In the larger narrative of Richard Branson’s life, Kristen represents a different era — a simpler, more chaotic time. For many, she is the symbolic “one who got away,” adding depth and contrast to Branson’s later successes.
Her Impact on Branson’s Early Life
Without Kristen, there may have been no Branson as we know him today. Their youthful romance and subsequent heartbreak helped shape Branson’s personal resilience and emotional growth.
5 Lesser-Known Facts About Kristen Tomassi
- She studied architecture in both New York and London
- Her father was a senior executive at a major glass company
- Kristen was just 20 when she married Branson
- She had a tumultuous yacht journey with Branson that nearly ended in disaster.
- She has stayed completely out of the public eye since her divorce
Conclusion: A Quiet Force Behind a Loud Legacy
Kristen Tomassi may have been married to one of the world’s loudest entrepreneurs, but she has quietly forged her own path. Her life is a lesson in grace, privacy, and independence. While she may never appear in tabloids or business headlines, Kristen remains a crucial—if rarely mentioned—part of Richard Branson’s origin story.
She reminds us that not every powerful influence seeks the spotlight.
