Virgin Group co-founder Richard Branson shares a story about the Nigerian pen pal he has had for years.
He shared his story about Virginia on his birthday on March 20, 2025.
Branson tells how Virginia was born on Virginia’s Atlantic when her mother traveled to London from Lagos.
Her name Virginia was inspired by her birth situation.
After being born on the plane, she was given free flights for the first 21 years each year.
Branson added that he and Virginia touched the basics every year, sharing song suggestions, and he loved listening to her life and travel.
When he celebrated her on her 21st birthday, he called her “the favorite pen pal to date.”
Richard Branson shared photos of Virginia at different times in her life, writing: “I have had a great pen pal in the past 21 years. On this day 21 years ago, Virginia became the first person to be born on a Virgin Atlantic flight.
“Her amazing mother and her 19-month-old son traveled from Lagos to London from Lagos, when Virginia decided it was time to enter the world for a month, thanks to an excellent nurse, surgeon and all crew members of Virginia were shipped safely at 30,000 feet above the Sahara Desert.
“We decided to fly Virginia for free every year for the first 21 years of her life and touch the base every year on her birthday.
“Sometimes we share suggestions for songs and I love hearing all about her travel and life updates. Send a lot of love to you, Virginia, and your family. My favorite pen pal to date!”
