Sir Richard Branson turns 70 on July 18. Most of you probably don't know these seven facts about the famous entrepreneur.
Sir Richard Branson, one of the most famous entrepreneurs in the world, is celebrating his 70th birthday on July 18. Much is known about the British, who was born in the Blackheath district of London in the summer of 1950. But there are also numerous things that some of you certainly didn't know about. Here are seven astonishing facts from Richard Branson's life.
Not a successful student
Branson is dyslexic, as the entrepreneur confirmed in an interview with journalist Graham Bensinger (33). He was a "hopeless case" as a student, which is why he left school at the age of 15. It was only at the age of 50 that he learned the difference between gross and net. However, the reading and spelling disorder did not stop him from becoming one of the most successful entrepreneurs on the planet.
The British music label Virgin Records was co-founded by Richard Branson in 1972. The label's sale brought the mogul $ 1 billion in 1992, but Branson still had "mixed feelings," as he explained in the podcast "How I Built This with Guy Raz." When he ran home after the sale, Branson said the tears streamed down his face. It was a "difficult decision".
Branson has owned Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands for many decades. Very wealthy prospects can book the island for weddings or just reserve one or more rooms for a planned vacation. The rooms range from $ 5,000 to $ 8,000 per night – a room with bunk beds for the kids is available for $ 3,500.
Little sleep, a lot of tea
According to their own statements, Branson likes to get up early. Usually, his day starts around 5:00 a.m. First, he is usually drawn outside, into the fresh air. There Branson greets the day with sport – kitesurfing, cycling, jogging or playing a game of tennis. Although Branson wakes up so early, he usually doesn't go back to bed until around 11:00 p.m. He needs around six hours of sleep before he can start a new day. However, studies show that most adult people need seven to eight hours of sleep.
Branson is a huge tea fan. The hot drink gives him enough energy for the day, as he explains on his homepage. At the same time, the entrepreneur jokes that one should not tell his doctor about Branson's extensive consumption. Since he is also not a friend of meetings, he usually tries to arrange them in such a way that they can take place at lunch or the like.
The Brit holds several world records, including one for a ride with most people on a kiteboard in 2014 – among others with the German kite legend Susi Mai ("Against the Wind"). But even more impressive: Branson and the Swede Per Lindstrand (71) were the first to fly over the Atlantic (1987) and the Pacific (1991) in a hot air balloon.