Necker Island is Richard Branson's private resort in the British Virgin Islands. The billionaire entrepreneur opened up his home to Australian fashion and celebrity photographer Russell James for his new book, "A Virgin Island."
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
Necker Island is Richard Branson's private resort in the British Virgin Islands. The billionaire entrepreneur opened up his home to Australian fashion and celebrity photographer Russell James for his new book, "A Virgin Island."
Courtesy Russell James
Branson (right) relaxes with James. They met by chance on a flight between Sydney and Los Angeles in 2009.
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
Branson (right) relaxes with James. They met by chance on a flight between Sydney and Los Angeles in 2009.
Courtesy Russell James
Featuring over 150 deluxe photographs, James' book reveals Necker Island's idyllic beaches and spectacular tropical wildlife.
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
Featuring over 150 deluxe photographs, James' book reveals Necker Island's idyllic beaches and spectacular tropical wildlife.
Courtesy Russell James
Branson purchased the island for $180,000 in 1979 and opened a luxury resort there facility in 1984. The entire island can be rented out for the princely sum of $64,000 a night.
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
Branson purchased the island for $180,000 in 1979 and opened a luxury resort there facility in 1984. The entire island can be rented out for the princely sum of $64,000 a night.
Courtesy Russell James
Famous guests over the years include Nelson Mandela, Diana Princess of Wales, Eddie Murphy, Robert De Niro and former U.S. president Jimmy Carter.
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
Famous guests over the years include Nelson Mandela, Diana Princess of Wales, Eddie Murphy, Robert De Niro and former U.S. president Jimmy Carter.
Courtesy Russell James
A statue balances on the edge of a cliff on Necker. In February 2014 the island hosted a summit of financiers, politicians, energy companies and lawyers in an attempt to encourage green energy practices in the Caribbean.
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
A statue balances on the edge of a cliff on Necker. In February 2014 the island hosted a summit of financiers, politicians, energy companies and lawyers in an attempt to encourage green energy practices in the Caribbean.
Courtesy Russell James
Google co-founder Larry Page hired out Necker for his wedding in 2007. The island is so small, however, that he had to house some guests on the nearby Virgin Gorda.
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
Google co-founder Larry Page hired out Necker for his wedding in 2007. The island is so small, however, that he had to house some guests on the nearby Virgin Gorda.
Courtesy Russell James
Branson has invested in restoring Necker's wildlife to its former glory. When he arrived, previously prominent species of plants and animals had disappeared.
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
Branson has invested in restoring Necker's wildlife to its former glory. When he arrived, previously prominent species of plants and animals had disappeared.
Courtesy Russell James
Giant tortoises, white and scarlet ibis, parrots, flamingos and rock iguanas have all been reintroduced.
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
Giant tortoises, white and scarlet ibis, parrots, flamingos and rock iguanas have all been reintroduced.
Courtesy Russell James
Although private visitors can hire the island, Branson still resides on Necker for around two months each year and considers it one of his primary residences.
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
Although private visitors can hire the island, Branson still resides on Necker for around two months each year and considers it one of his primary residences.
Courtesy Russell James
A fire destroyed much of the infrastructure on Necker in 2011 after one of its residences was struck by lightning, but the island has since been restored to its former glory.
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
A fire destroyed much of the infrastructure on Necker in 2011 after one of its residences was struck by lightning, but the island has since been restored to its former glory.
Courtesy Russell James
Branson credits Necker for inspiring him to come up with the idea for his space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic. "One clear night as I gazed at the stars, I thought, 'Wouldn't it be wonderful for people to travel through space,' " he says in the photo book's introduction.
Richard Branson's celebrity island —
Branson credits Necker for inspiring him to come up with the idea for his space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic. "One clear night as I gazed at the stars, I thought, 'Wouldn't it be wonderful for people to travel through space,' " he says in the photo book's introduction.
Courtesy Russell James
A Virgin Island Collector´s Edition XXL by Russell James, is published by teNeues, www.teneues.com Photo © Russell James
Treasure island for rich and famous —
A Virgin Island Collector´s Edition XXL by Russell James, is published by teNeues, www.teneues.com Photo © Russell James