He dropped out of school at 16, likes to dress up as a woman and supports Ukraine: how Richard Branson made billions and was not afraid of Putin

Richard Branson, the British billionaire and founder of Virgin, who called on business leaders to unite and defend Ukraine's sovereignty, celebrates his birthday on July 18. The extraordinary and successful friend of Ukrainians is 74 years old, and he still lives an active and eventful life.

The Briton has had many successful business ideas and many failed projects, but what really sets him apart from his colleagues is his extraordinary thinking and lack of fear of anything new. OBOZ.UA will tell you about the brightest episodes of the billionaire's life and recall some of his inspiring quotes.

Richard has tried everything

He started his first business at the age of 16. It was Student magazine, for which the future billionaire dropped out of school. The saying about the first pancake going awry is exactly about Branson, because this industry did not bring him the desired capital.

However, he soon began selling records at a reduced price and created the Virgin Records record company, where the Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols, Spice Girls, and many others began to record.

Since then, the entrepreneur has created dozens of companies. Hotels, cinemas, clothing, carbonated beverages, entertainment, airlines, cruises, alcohol, energy, books, space tourism, telecommunications, startups, wedding dresses, cosmetics, video games - these are just a small part of Branson's businesses.

He said: "You can't let the poor word 'can't' stop you. If you don't have enough experience to achieve your goal, look for other ways. If you want to fly, go to the airfield and serve tea there. And keep your eyes open. Watch and learn."

Richard is an advertising genius

While most businessmen have gotten used to their stern and businesslike images, the Briton took a different path. He personally tried to promote each of his startups - even unsuccessful ones - to the masses, no matter how comical they looked.

For example, in 1994, Branson started selling Virgin Cola, and to compete with Coca-Cola, he drove a tank through three tons of cans of the popular soda in Times Square in New York. The idea failed, but the story became legendary.

In 1996, Richard Branson came to the opening of his bridal salon in a bridal gown, and for the sake of advertising Virgin American, he descended from the 125-meter roof of a casino hotel in Las Vegas and got slightly injured. He has flown in a hot air balloon, traveled to space in 2021, and dressed as a flight attendant.

By creating such high-profile newsworthy events, the businessman increased his companies' chances of success. In October 2007, he was included in the British rating "100 Geniuses of Our Time."

The Briton once said: "Everything begins and ends in your mind. You have power over what you have given yourself."

Richard is a loyal friend of Ukraine

Even before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the entrepreneur called for opposition to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. He explained: "We must not abandon a country that voluntarily gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for peace and is now on the verge of being invaded by the very country that convinced it to do so."

Later, the businessman emphasized the need for sanctions against Russia. He was not afraid to come to a country at war to see with his own eyes what the Russians left behind in Gostomel. The billionaire promised to help Ukraine create a new Mriya, and was also interested in the possibility of restoring the Antonov airfield and discussing cooperation with Ukraine in the space sector.

The Briton believes that Russian businessmen and people are weak, so he did not believe in the success of the coup and the change of power. He became an ambassador of UNITED24 and addressed Ukrainians with words of support.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!