brand has dozens of companies to its name, from virgin atlantic to galactic. but, after five decades in atlantic to galactic. but, afterfive decades in business, reinventing whole industries, sir richard branson has been tested as never before, both financially and emotionally. the pandemic left the 72 year old fighting to save his empire and his reputation. he faced questions over how he has used women to promote his brand, and sceptics have asked why someone who campaigns on climate change is sending rockets into space. the original rebel entrepreneur continues to grab the headlines and confound his critics. i ve come to miami to hear the whole story. sir richard branson, thank you so much for speaking to me and to the bbc. how are you? l’m to the bbc. how are you? i m aood. i to the bbc. how are you? i m good- i always to the bbc. how are you? ii fl good. i always think sitting down to do interviews like this is a bit like i ve never been a psychiatrist s chair, but
but, after five decades in business reinventing whole industries, sir richard branson has been tested as never before, both financially and emotionally. the pandemic left the 72 year old fighting to save his empire and his reputation. he faced questions over how he has used women to promote his brand, and sceptics have asked why someone who campaigns on climate change is sending rockets into space. the original rebel entrepreneur continues to grab the headlines and confound his critics. i ve come to miami to hear the whole story. sir richard branson, thank you so much for speaking to me and to the bbc. how are you? i m good. i always think sitting down to do interviews like this is a bit like i ve never been a psychiatrist s chair, but it s a bit like being in a psychiatrist s chair. of course i m nervous. we ll see how you are in an hour. just to be clear, you have not seen or approved of the questions in advance. nothing is off the table, right? i m afraid that s the case
gonein the elysee palace in paris and has gone in for dinner with president macron. thank you for your company, you are watching the bbc news. stay with us. now on bbc news amol rajan interviews: richard branson. oh, yes, hello. oh, my goodness, hello! the shy schoolboy who became a global celebrity. sir richard branson is a very british bundle of contradictions. the dyslexic who set up a student magazine. the record label founder who didn t listen to music. the 60s hippie who became a multibillionaire. today he s got his own island, and his brand has dozens of companies to its name, from virgin atlantic to galactic. but, after five decades in business reinventing whole industries, sir richard branson has been tested as never before, both financially and emotionally. the pandemic left the 72 year old fighting to save his empire and his reputation. he faced questions over how he has used women to promote his brand, and sceptics have asked why someone who campaigns on climate
and alive at that time. music plays. it was at the manor that the met his first future wife joan, with whom he would have children holly and sam. living on a houseboat to save cash, he was on the hunt for something bigger much bigger. in 1978 he bought necker island in the caribbean sea for $180,000. it would eventually become his home and a holiday resort. but it s proved controversial, with some claiming that by making it his place of residence sir richard has been able to avoid taxes his critics argue he should pay. you ve lived in the caribbean on your own island, necker island, for many years and you ve also been open about using legal means and they are legal means to keep your tax bill down and remain competitive, you have contributed millions in tax over the years to many different jurisdictions.
road, it must have been exhilarating. road, it must have been exhilaratina. ., exhilarating. it was, it was a wonderful exhilarating. it was, it was a wonderful era, exhilarating. it was, it was a wonderful era, bounce i exhilarating. it was, it was a | wonderful era, bounce would come and record all night and sleep all day and that was just tremendously exciting, it was great to be young and alive at that time. great to be young and alive at that time- that time. music plays. it was at that time. music plays. it was at the that time. music plays. it was at the manner i that time. music plays. j it was at the manner that that time. music plays. - it was at the manner that the met his first future wife joan with whom he would have children holly and sam. living on a houseboat to save because she was on the hunt for something bigger, much bigger. in 1978 he brought neck island in the caribbean sea for $180,000. it would eventually become his home and a holiday resort. but has pr