Richard Branson Gets Candid

The United Kingdom’s Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is not your typical knight. Though estimated to be worth $7.8 billion, Branson is a high school dropout and self-proclaimed party animal. Notorious for antics, over-the-top stunts and wily schemes, the “rebel billionaire” has broken world records including: “longest distance traveled in a hot air balloon” and “fastest time crossing the English Channel in an amphibious vehicle” ... whatever that means. Branson has even played himself on hit TV shows Friends and Baywatch.

Now after breaking records and selling billions more by founding Virgin, Branson is after a fresh challenge ... saving the planet. The mogul has already pledged $3 billion to renewable energy investments. He is currently pushing Virgin’s transportation sector to move toward sustainable alternatives.

Emblazoned with good deeds, perhaps Branson should be the winner of his own “Virgin Earth Challenge,” a technology competition to encourage advancements for the good of mankind. But Branson doesn’t need another accolade. Just days ago, the entrepreneur received the United Nation’s Citizen of the World Award.

To celebrate Branson, his work and the UN’s award, Time readers were given the opportunity to ask the mogul 10 extraordinary questions — running the gamut from professional to personal. If you crave the inside scoop on Branson’s latest humanitarian efforts and “beef” with Rupert Murdoch, read on.

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