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.
