This month’s book review is ‘Finding My Virginity’ the updated autobiography released in 2022 by Sir Richard Branson.
Branson is a global entrepreneur, adventurer and founder of the Virgin Group, one of the world’s most recognised and respected brands, and there can’t be many people who have not heard of him. It has been years since I read any of his books, so on a recent trip, I decided to read this most recent one.
While the book Losing My Virginity captured the wild early years of building the Virgin empire, Finding My Virginity chronicles what happened next: Branson’s adventures expanding Virgin into even more industries, his commitment to different causes, personal setbacks, triumphant wins, and a life still filled with risk-taking at an age when many slow down.
There are a number of themes in the book:
Relentless Optimism – Branson rarely accepts defeat. Even when ventures flop (like Virgin Cola), he focuses on the experience gained.
Business as Adventure – He treats every business venture as a daring expedition, not just a profit-chasing exercise.
Resilience Through Crisis – COVID-19 nearly broke parts of the Virgin empire, and Branson pulls back the curtain on the frantic, painful decisions behind the scenes.
Space as the Final Frontier – Virgin Galactic’s historic 2021 manned flight becomes a huge emotional moment.
Family, Mortality, and Legacy – A personal reflection with a sharper focus now on what he will leave behind for future generations.
There are a huge number of stories in the book, and for some of them I would have preferred a bit more detail so less quantity and more quality, but that is just a personal preference.
The stories include:
The Virgin Galactic Dream and Disaster
One of the most gripping parts is Branson’s recounting of Virgin Galactic’s journey to commercial spaceflight. He shares the heartache of the 2014 crash that killed pilot Michael Alsbury. Branson’s grief is palpable, but so is his resilience: he recommits to the dream, vowing that tragedy won’t mark the end of their mission.
Battling British Airways. The “Dirty Tricks” War
A thrilling David vs. Goliath story. British Airways tried to sabotage Virgin Atlantic through a smear campaign. Branson fought back, sued, and won — using the settlement money to award “BA shares” bonuses to all Virgin Atlantic staff. His fierce loyalty to his employees shines through here.
The Unusual Investments
Branson dives into unexpected ventures like Virgin Brides (a failed bridalwear business) and Virgin Trains (a rocky project). His willingness to enter any industry, often against expert advice, is certainly a running theme.
The COVID Battle to Save Virgin
Branson shares how devastating the pandemic was for Virgin’s travel businesses (airlines, cruises, hotels). Facing accusations of asking for bailouts while being personally wealthy, he had to mortgage Necker Island to raise funds. He describes the emotional toll of fighting to save thousands of jobs while also defending his reputation in the media.
The Rise of Virgin Voyages
Despite launching just before the pandemic, Virgin Voyages (Branson’s cruise line) survives and even thrives post-lockdowns. He highlights the innovation behind offering adults-only, wellness-focused cruises and how Virgin pivoted fast to adapt to new realities.
Activism Grows Stronger
Branson shares his deepening commitment to climate change, criminal justice reform, and ending the death penalty. His work with The Elders (a group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela) becomes a major point of pride. I was less comfortable with some of these aspects as there seemed to be a lot of back slapping and building an unelected group of people to run the world. I preferred the business aspects of the stories and the entrepreneurial flair of Branson.
Personal Reflections on Mortality
After surviving both a brutal bicycle crash and COVID disruptions, Branson writes with a new vulnerability about aging, the importance of his children’s leadership, and planning for a future beyond his active day-to-day control of Virgin.
Branson is still the charming rebel entrepreneur we know and love, but this time with more scars, more wisdom, and even more focus on using business as a force for good.
The book reminds you that success is messy, emotional, and full of second chances. Branson’s later years show a man who, even after achieving everything he dreamed of, is still chasing new horizons.
Enjoyed the book and having not read a Branson book for many years, it was good to revisit a lot of stories that I’d not heard for ages.