Skip to main contentSkip to footer

John Lennon's first wife Cynthia Lennon dies aged 75

Share this:

The late John Lennon's former wife Cynthia Lennon has passed away after a short battle with cancer. The 75-year-old, who was married to the Beatle's star for six years, was with her son Julian Lennon at the time of her death.

A rep confirmed the news in a statement on Wednesday, saying: "Cynthia Lennon passed away today at her home in Mallorca, Spain following a short but brave battle with cancer. Her son Julian Lennon was at her bedside throughout. The family are thankful for your prayers. Please respect their privacy at this difficult time."

CynthiaLennon1 © Photo: Rex

Cynthia Lennon was married to John Lennon for six years

Cynthia Lennon, then Cynthia Powell, met John Lennon when she was an 18-year-old student at the Liverpool College of Art. She married the talented musician in 1962 and they welcomed their son Julian together the following year, shortly before The Beatles made their incredible rise to fame.

51-year-old Julian has since admitted that his dad's success and demanding world tours meant that he and his mother lived an "isolated life" from him.

CynthiaLennon © Photo: Getty Images

Cynthia Lennon has died at the age of 75

"When dad moved away when I was three or four, I lived with mom and we lived a totally isolated life from the world that was going on with The Beatles," he told CBS News.

John and Cynthia parted ways in 1968 and the musician famously went on to tie the knot with Yoko Ono, who he was still married to at the time of his tragic death in 1980.

Despite marrying a further three times following her ill-fated nuptials to John, Wirral-born Cynthia changed her surname back to Lennon by deed poll in 1983, saying that it was financially necessary.

Cynthia published two books about her famous first husband. Her memoir A Twist of Lennon was published in 1978, while a more intimate biography John followed in 2005.