1 May 2025
By Publisher Ray Carmen,
When most billionaires build empires, they do it from skyscrapers and boardrooms. Sir Richard Branson prefers to rule his from a hammock, barefoot, on a private island in the Caribbean.
The founder of the Virgin Group—which spans everything from airlines to space travel—has long had a reputation for doing things differently. But nowhere is his philosophy of blending work, play, and purpose more visible than on Necker Island, his 74-acre paradise in the British Virgin Islands.
The Birth of a Private Island Dream
Branson bought Necker in the late 1970s for a cool $180,000, after bluffing the real estate agent into thinking he could afford it. What began as a cheeky adventure turned into a luxurious retreat that now hosts celebrities, activists, royals, and visionaries from around the world.
The island isn’t just for sun and fun—it’s also a base for think tanks and humanitarian missions, particularly through Branson’s Virgin Unite foundation. He’s used it as a platform to push forward environmental innovation, renewable energy projects, and disaster relief efforts across the Caribbean.
The Resilient Rebel
Even when hurricanes Irma and Maria ravaged Necker in 2017, Branson rebuilt it with sustainable design and even greater purpose. In his own words: “We may be bruised, but we will rebuild with resilience.”
Whether he’s kite-surfing with Barack Obama or hosting summits on climate change, Branson proves that success doesn’t have to wear a tie—it can wear swim trunks and still change the world.
From boardroom to beach bar, Sir Richard Branson is proof that you can do good, do business, and do it all barefoot.
