Kristen Tomassi is an American well-known Interior designer and architect. Kristen is more prominent as the inaugural spouse of the renowned billionaire and Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Group, Richard Branson.
On August 10, 1952, Kristen’s parents, Joseph H. Tomassi and Jacqueline Tomassi, welcomed her into the world. Her birthplace is Southport, Connecticut, USA.
In this article, we will explore Kristen Tomassi’s early life education, marriages, children and net worth.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Kristen Tomassi |
| Date of Birth | August 10, 1952 |
| Place of Birth | Southport, Connecticut, USA |
| Age | 71 years old (as of 2023) |
| Husband | Axel Dieter Ball |
| Gender | Female |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous as | Richard Branson’s ex-wife |
| Profession | Interior designer and Architect |
| Net Worth | $1-$5 million (as of 2023) |
Early Life and Education
Kristen Tomassi, born in 1952 in Southport, Connecticut, is widely recognised as the former spouse of Richard Branson. Hailing from Southport, Conn., she holds American citizenship.
Kristen’s father, Joseph H. Tomassi, was a businessman, and she grew up alongside her three sisters: Merril Delaney, Jacquelyn Richardson, and Lowell McHugh.
Kristen pursued her education at Concord Academy and later attended Fairfield University. She further honed her skills at the Parsons School of Design in New York and the Arizona State School of Architecture.
Kristen’s father, Joseph J. Tomassi Jr., played roles as a mergers and acquisitions specialist and an industrial executive, contributing to various business ventures, including North American Matric Ltd.
Kristen’s mother, Jacqueline Tomassi, is an artist known for her works exhibited in September 2019, and Kristen attended the opening with her sisters. Kristen Tomassi is currently 71 years old as of 2023.
Marriage with Richard Branson
Kristen Tomassi and Richard Branson exchanged vows in 1972 in a beautiful ceremony attended by friends, family, and loved ones. Kristen, an architecture student at the time, was 20 years old, while Richard was 21.
The Anglican ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Hubert McCann in Holy Cross Church in Shipton‐on‐Cherwell, near Manor Studios, the groom’s property. However, their marriage came to an end in 1979.
Branson attributed the separation to a strange issue, as he claimed to break out in a painful rash whenever they were intimate. In his book “Losing My Virginity,” he shared,
| “Kristen and I had a bizarre sexual allergy to each other. Whenever we made love, a painful rash spread across me that would take about three weeks to heal. We went to several doctors, but we never resolved the problem. I even had a circumcision to stop the reaction.” |
Open Marriage Experiment
Kristen Tomassi and Richard Branson ventured into an open marriage experiment, swapping partners with Kevin Ayers of Soft Machine. While Branson’s connection with Ayers’ wife, Cyrille, didn’t last, Kristen and Kevin became romantically involved. They welcomed a daughter together, named Galen Ayers.
Branson later acknowledged that he and his first wife were too young for marriage, and they didn’t have any children. After her divorce from Branson, Kristen married Kevin Ayers.
The union was short-lived, concluding in divorce after five years due to Ayers’ reportedly precarious lifestyle. Following this, Kristen maintained an amicable co-parenting relationship with Kevin, who sadly passed away in February 2013.
Kristen tied the knot with Axel Dieter Ball
Axel Dieter Ball was Kristen’s ex-husband’s business partner. He is a prosperous German property developer. During her employment with her ex-husband, Kristen Tomassi met with Axel Dieter Ball.
The two developed a close bond, frequently travelling together for years. They eventually married on May 27, an unspecified year. They welcomed a son named Nicholas Ball into their lives. This enduring couple is still together.
Kristen Tomassi Children
Kristen Tomassi is the mother of two children. She has a daughter named Galen Ayers from her previous marriage to Kevin Ayers, making Galen Kristen’s firstborn. Galen, following her father’s path, pursued a career as a singer and musician. She is married to the award-winning Jamaican-born British Australian director and producer Stephen Hopkins.
In her current marriage to Axel Dieter Ball, Kristen is a mother to Nicholas Ball, who is a real estate agent. Nicholas is married to Nadine Hawa. Moreover, Kristen Tomassi is a caring grandmother to Adriana Ball and Alexander Ball.
Net Worth
Kristen Tomassi’s main source of income is her profession, and as of November 2023, her net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million.
