Holly Branson opens up about living as a boy for years and the parents who never questioned her

Richard Branson’s daughter, Holly, has stunned fans by revealing she lived as a boy throughout most of her childhood—crediting her parents’ unconditional love for letting her grow without judgment.

In a heartfelt Instagram tribute to her mother Joan, who just turned 80, Holly described the profound impact her parents had on her upbringing—especially during a time when her identity didn’t match traditional expectations.

“Forty years ago, the world was very different,” Holly wrote, referring to her decision at age four to live as a boy. “Having a daughter who decided from the age of four that she wanted to be a boy must have been difficult to navigate back then.”

But instead of being made to feel strange or ashamed, Holly said her parents—Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson and his wife Joan—offered only compassion. “Mum (and Dad) never made me feel like I was strange in any way,” she continued. “I am so thankful to them both for this.”

The revelation came in a lengthy post honouring Joan Branson’s milestone birthday, accompanied by throwback photos and reflections on their recent family celebrations aboard Virgin Voyages and at Kasbah Tamadot.

Holly, now 43 and a mother of three, spoke candidly about how her mum’s values helped her become the person she is today. “I’d love to share some of the most precious lessons I’ve learnt from her—lessons that have shaped me; guided me; and that I carry into every corner of my own life.”

The first and most important, she said, was “unconditional love.”

“I cannot tell you how thankful I am and how empowering it is to have someone there who loves without judgement and lets people carve their own path,” Holly wrote.

Her experience, she explained, has helped shape how she now parents her own children—Etta, Artie, and Lola. “At times when Etta, Artie and Lola say or do things that make me want to pull my hair out, I call on my inner Joan,” she admitted. “I’ve realised that unconditional love and support also comes with a large helping of patience – thank you for teaching me that, Mum. And breathe!”

This is not the first time Holly has spoken publicly about her gender identity as a child. In an earlier podcast interview with presenter Natalie Pinkham, she offered further insight into how deeply she identified as male during those formative years.

“At the age of four, I decided I was a boy,” she said. “It wasn’t that I wanted to be a boy—it was that I was a boy. It was just after my brother was born and… maybe I wanted to be like him.”

Far from a fleeting phase, the identity persisted throughout Holly’s early years. “This wasn’t just a quick thing that stopped after a few months or years,” she said. “It lasted until I was nearly 11.”

Looking back, Holly considers herself lucky. “I was so lucky to have parents that were really accepting of it,” she reflected. “They didn’t question any of it. They let me be who I wanted to be.”

Her story has since resonated with thousands, especially parents navigating similar journeys with their own children. And while the world may still be catching up, Holly’s tribute makes one thing crystal clear: love without conditions can change everything.