In Depth With Graham Bensinger Sir Richard Branson: British Entrepreneur and Virgin Group Founder
5 snips
Aug 18, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, Richard Branson, the adventurous founder of the Virgin Group, shares thrilling tales of his hot air balloon expeditions and the challenges of starting an airline. He vividly recounts a dramatic Atlantic journey filled with near disasters and teamwork. Branson also discusses the emotional aspects of space travel, advocating for greater public access and reflecting on safety concerns. Touching on his childhood experiences and the lessons learned through failures and triumphs, he emphasizes resilience and the importance of philanthropy.
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Near-Death Pacific Balloon Crossing
- Richard Branson survived a Pacific hot-air balloon crossing after losing fuel tanks and landing on an Arctic frozen lake.
- He credits flying into the jet stream at incredible speeds and sheer luck for their survival.
Parachute Rescue After Balloon Mishap
- During an Atlantic balloon attempt, Branson's captain jumped into the sea and the balloon shot upward leaving Branson to parachute into freezing water.
- A military helicopter exercise rescued him within minutes, saving his life.
Refueling Disaster And Nimrod To The Rescue
- While attempting an Atlantic speed record, a refueling ship accidentally filled their tanks with water, nearly sinking them.
- Margaret Thatcher's government parachuted filters from a Nimrod plane, letting their engineer filter the fuel and continue.
