Holly Branson—daughter of Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson—recently opened up in a deeply personal tribute that’s resonating with many.
To mark her mum Joan’s 80th birthday, Holly shared heartfelt reflections on growing up, gender identity, and the quiet power of parental support that shaped who she is today.
Growing Up a Boy with a Family That Embraced It All
In a moving Instagram post, Holly, now 43, revealed that from the age of four until nearly eleven, she lived as a boy.
And not once, she says, did her parents make her feel “strange” or “wrong” for doing so.
Calling her parents’ approach “empowering,” Holly praised their open-mindedness and unconditional love during what could have been a confusing time—especially back then, when discussions around gender identity were far less common.
A Birthday Message That Became Something Deeper
Holly’s tribute to her mum began as a celebration but unfolded into something much more profound.
Posting a throwback photo of Joan, she wrote:
“The last few weeks have been filled with so much love and magical family moments.”
She described joyful times spent celebrating her brother Sam’s 40th birthday and Joan’s milestone 80th, surrounded by friends, food, music, and the kind of laughter that fills a room.
Then came the powerful words:
“Having a daughter who decided from the age of four that she wanted to be a boy must have been difficult to navigate back then… but Mum (and Dad) never made me feel like I was strange in any way, and I’m so thankful to them both for this.”
The Boy Holly Believed She Was
Holly has previously spoken candidly about this chapter of her life.
On a 2021 podcast with presenter Natalie Pinkham, she shared that her belief wasn’t about wanting to be a boy—it was a sense of being a boy.
“At the age of four, I decided I was a boy… It wasn’t a passing phase. It lasted until I was nearly 11,” she said.
She even gave herself different male names, stood up to pee, and dressed in boys’ clothes.
Through all of this, her parents remained quietly supportive, never trying to change her.
When the Dress Became a Turning Point
Holly recalled the moment that marked a shift. One Christmas, she surprised her mum by asking for a dress.
Joan, careful not to pressure her daughter, didn’t gift the dress herself—instead, she asked a family friend to do it.
That subtle act of love, said Holly, became a turning point.
Now a Mum Herself, She Passes the Love Forward
Today, Holly is a mum to three children—10-year-old twins Etta and Artie, and 6-year-old Lola—with husband Freddie Andrewes.
She says she tries to raise them with the same patience and openness she was shown.
In her birthday post, she reflected on one of the greatest lessons from her mum:
“Unconditional love and support also comes with a large helping of patience—thank you for teaching me that, Mum.”
A Journey Through Fertility Struggles
Holly’s journey into motherhood hasn’t been easy.
She’s spoken before about her struggles with fertility, including two miscarriages and two failed rounds of IVF.
She and her husband even explored options like adoption and surrogacy before eventually welcoming their children.
It’s another area where she’s drawn strength from her upbringing—being raised with resilience, empathy, and compassion.
A Story That Reflects Today’s Conversations
Holly’s story comes at a time when more families are having open conversations about gender identity.
While some children identify long-term as transgender, others—like Holly—experience it as a stage in self-discovery.
Whatever the outcome, her story is a reminder that children thrive best when they’re allowed to just be, with parents who walk beside them instead of trying to steer them.
Celebrating Joan Branson’s Quiet Strength
Though Joan prefers to avoid the spotlight, her influence clearly runs deep in her family.
Holly’s tribute wasn’t just about birthdays or milestones—it was a love letter to a mum who understood when to lead, when to support, and when to quietly let her daughter find her own way.