Controversy
Branson has in the past openly admitted to smoking cannabis, and considered selling the plant in Virgin stores if it were to become legal.
Branson's business empire is owned by a complicated series of offshore trusts and companies. The Sunday Times stated that his wealth is calculated at £3.065 billion; if he were to retire to his Caribbean island and liquidate all of this he would pay relatively little in tax.
Honours
In 1993, Branson received the honorary degree of Doctor of Technology from Loughborough University.
He became Sir Richard Branson when he was knighted by the Queen in 1999 for "services to entrepreneurship".
He is the Patron of the International Rescue Corps, which is one of the few truly independent front-line search and rescue organisations in the world – a UK-registered charity, financed solely by donations and their own fund raising, and manned totally by volunteers.
He is also a Patron of Prisoners Abroad, a registered charity which supports Britons who are detained outside of the UK.
Sir Richard appears at No. 85 on the 2002 list of "100 Greatest Britons" (sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public).
Ironically, Sir Richard also ranks No. 86 on Channel 4's 2003 list of "100 Worst Britons".
Overall Rating:
There are few businessmen who have been as flamboyant -- or as successful -- as British tycoon Richard Branson. He is the founder of the Virgin Music label, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Virgin Cola. He has unorthodox methods when it comes to doing business, but they work. And chances are that no one has had as much fun on the road to becoming a billionaire than Branson did.
Personality & talent:
Richard has an uncanny ability to convince anyone of his ambitions and ideals. His charm with the ladies is equally legendary. He is the head of his multi-billion dollar corporation as well as its charismatic’s spokesperson.
His insatiable desire to push the boundaries of common business practices has made him take on industry giants like British Airways and Coca-Cola. It takes a lot of talent, not to mention a lot of between-the-legs-equipment, to take on these big boys.
Woman magnetism
He may not be as well known in the US, but in England Richard Branson has rock star fame. His endless streams of famous friends and connections, enormous wealth and alluring charm have made him a huge target for women everywhere.
Accomplishments & fame
For a businessman, when is a career considered accomplished? Making $100 million, $1 billion, or changing the world? Well, Richard Branson has done all those things, and there is not much more left to achieve.
Coolness factor
Any man that writes a book called Losing My Virginity, is ranked among the 10 best businessmen of England, has a net worth of $1.7 billion, and is close friends with Janet Jackson & The Rolling Stones all while running a huge company, is as cool as they come in our books.
Personal style
Aside from the day he put on a bridal dress to launch his new company Virgin Bridal, Branson is the epiphany of elegant business wear.
Branson has in the past openly admitted to smoking cannabis, and considered selling the plant in Virgin stores if it were to become legal.
Branson's business empire is owned by a complicated series of offshore trusts and companies. The Sunday Times stated that his wealth is calculated at £3.065 billion; if he were to retire to his Caribbean island and liquidate all of this he would pay relatively little in tax.
Honours
In 1993, Branson received the honorary degree of Doctor of Technology from Loughborough University.
He became Sir Richard Branson when he was knighted by the Queen in 1999 for "services to entrepreneurship".
He is the Patron of the International Rescue Corps, which is one of the few truly independent front-line search and rescue organisations in the world – a UK-registered charity, financed solely by donations and their own fund raising, and manned totally by volunteers.
He is also a Patron of Prisoners Abroad, a registered charity which supports Britons who are detained outside of the UK.
Sir Richard appears at No. 85 on the 2002 list of "100 Greatest Britons" (sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public).
Ironically, Sir Richard also ranks No. 86 on Channel 4's 2003 list of "100 Worst Britons".
Overall Rating:
There are few businessmen who have been as flamboyant -- or as successful -- as British tycoon Richard Branson. He is the founder of the Virgin Music label, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Virgin Cola. He has unorthodox methods when it comes to doing business, but they work. And chances are that no one has had as much fun on the road to becoming a billionaire than Branson did.
Personality & talent:
Richard has an uncanny ability to convince anyone of his ambitions and ideals. His charm with the ladies is equally legendary. He is the head of his multi-billion dollar corporation as well as its charismatic’s spokesperson.
His insatiable desire to push the boundaries of common business practices has made him take on industry giants like British Airways and Coca-Cola. It takes a lot of talent, not to mention a lot of between-the-legs-equipment, to take on these big boys.
Woman magnetism
He may not be as well known in the US, but in England Richard Branson has rock star fame. His endless streams of famous friends and connections, enormous wealth and alluring charm have made him a huge target for women everywhere.
Accomplishments & fame
For a businessman, when is a career considered accomplished? Making $100 million, $1 billion, or changing the world? Well, Richard Branson has done all those things, and there is not much more left to achieve.
Coolness factor
Any man that writes a book called Losing My Virginity, is ranked among the 10 best businessmen of England, has a net worth of $1.7 billion, and is close friends with Janet Jackson & The Rolling Stones all while running a huge company, is as cool as they come in our books.
Personal style
Aside from the day he put on a bridal dress to launch his new company Virgin Bridal, Branson is the epiphany of elegant business wear.