Epitomizing the brand and the man behind it, is the acquisition story of Necker Island by Sir Richard Branson. While it ultimately became the cornerstone of Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition (and his primary home), at the time of the purchase in 1978, Necker Island represented an enormous gamble that had the potential to ruin the young Virgin empire. Undaunted, Branson pushed forward with his vision, and today, he is able to recoup that initial investment with just a few days of the rental income generated by Necker.