The Current

Great Music Lives Here
Listener-Supported Music
Donate Now
Local Current Blog

Cynthia Lennon dies at 75

by Jay Gabler

April 01, 2015

Cynthia Lennon has died of cancer at age 75 at her home in Spain. Lennon was the wife of John Lennon from 1962 to 1968; John and Cynthia Lennon were the parents of Julian Lennon, who was at his mother's side in her final days. A representative for Cynthia Lennon made the following statement:

"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."

A native of northwest England, Cynthia Powell met John Lennon in a calligraphy class at the Liverpool College of Art, and the two began dating in 1958. After their marriage—Beatles manager Brian Epstein was best man, and Paul McCartney and George Harrison were in attendance though neither of the couple's parents were—the Lennons lived together in London until the marriage ended as John became involved with Yoko Ono. Julian Lennon, the Lennons' only child, was born in 1963.

Cynthia Lennon went on to other relationships and wrote a 1978 memoir called A Twist of Lennon. (At the time, she was married to engineer John Twist.) In 1980, it was Ringo Starr who called to break the news that Cynthia Lennon's ex-husband had been fatally shot in New York. Over the years, Cynthia Lennon has been involved in various business ventures and made her own recording debut in 2005. A second book about John Lennon, John, was published that same year.

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.