In Depth With Graham Bensinger Sir Richard Branson: British Entrepreneur and Virgin Group Founder
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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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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.
Flying Near China Led To Air Route Approval
- On a round-the-world balloon attempt they risked Chinese airspace and were warned they'd be shot down, but diplomatic calls led to safe passage.
- Minutes later Virgin Atlantic received permission to fly to Shanghai, an ironic twist.
Dirty Tricks And Libel Victory Over BA
- British Airways ran a "dirty tricks" campaign against Virgin Atlantic, including false calls and rummaging through bins.
- Branson sued, won the largest libel damages in British history, and distributed the money to staff.
