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Cynthia Lennon dies at 75 Cynthia Lennon dies at 75
(about 9 hours later)
John Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia, has died at her home in Spain, her family said. She was 75.John Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia, has died at her home in Spain, her family said. She was 75.
A message on her son Julian’s website said she died “following a short but brave battle with cancer”.A message on her son Julian’s website said she died “following a short but brave battle with cancer”.
It said: “Her son Julian Lennon was at her bedside throughout. The family are thankful for your prayers. Please respect their privacy at this difficult time.”It said: “Her son Julian Lennon was at her bedside throughout. The family are thankful for your prayers. Please respect their privacy at this difficult time.”
Julian tweeted a picture of his mother inside a heart with the message “In Loving Memory”.Julian tweeted a picture of his mother inside a heart with the message “In Loving Memory”.
Cynthia met Lennon at art school in Liverpool in 1957 and the couple married just before Beatlemania transformed her husband from a jobbing musician into one of the most famous men in the world.Cynthia met Lennon at art school in Liverpool in 1957 and the couple married just before Beatlemania transformed her husband from a jobbing musician into one of the most famous men in the world.
At the height of the Beatles’ early success, she was kept so far in the background that many of Lennon’s female fans were not even aware of her existence, and she stayed at home bringing up Julian while the Fab Four toured the world and topped the charts.At the height of the Beatles’ early success, she was kept so far in the background that many of Lennon’s female fans were not even aware of her existence, and she stayed at home bringing up Julian while the Fab Four toured the world and topped the charts.
The couple divorced in 1968 after Cynthia discovered her husband’s relationship with the Japanese artist Yoko Ono.The couple divorced in 1968 after Cynthia discovered her husband’s relationship with the Japanese artist Yoko Ono.
Hunter Davies, who wrote the only official biography of The Beatles in 1968, said Cynthia was “a lovely woman”.Hunter Davies, who wrote the only official biography of The Beatles in 1968, said Cynthia was “a lovely woman”.
He said: “When I was writing the book I spent two years with them, visiting her home and spending time with her. She was totally different from John in that she was quiet and reserved and calm. She was not a hippy at all.He said: “When I was writing the book I spent two years with them, visiting her home and spending time with her. She was totally different from John in that she was quiet and reserved and calm. She was not a hippy at all.
“I think it was the attraction of opposites between them. When they got together at art school everyone was amazed – she was seen as refined and reserved and nobody thought they would last.“I think it was the attraction of opposites between them. When they got together at art school everyone was amazed – she was seen as refined and reserved and nobody thought they would last.
Born Cynthia Powell, in Blackpool, she remarried several times after her divorce from Lennon and published memoirs of her time with him.Born Cynthia Powell, in Blackpool, she remarried several times after her divorce from Lennon and published memoirs of her time with him.
In an interview to publicise one of her books, 2005’s John, she told Good Morning America: “I have read so many books and seen so many films, and it’s like we don’t really exist. We are like walk-on parts in his life. We did spend 10 years together.”In an interview to publicise one of her books, 2005’s John, she told Good Morning America: “I have read so many books and seen so many films, and it’s like we don’t really exist. We are like walk-on parts in his life. We did spend 10 years together.”
Recalling their early days, she said: “You couldn’t resist being around him. You couldn’t resist watching what he was up to. I mean, he was a total rebel. Everybody was amazed by him.”Recalling their early days, she said: “You couldn’t resist being around him. You couldn’t resist watching what he was up to. I mean, he was a total rebel. Everybody was amazed by him.”
Ono, said in a statement: “I’m very saddened by Cynthia’s death. She was a great person and a wonderful mother to Julian.
“She had such a strong zest for life and I felt proud how we two women stood firm in the Beatles family. Please join me in sending love and support to Julian at this very sad time. Love, Yoko”.
Lennon’s former bandmate, Sir Paul McCartney, said: “The news of Cynthia’s passing is very sad. She was a lovely lady who I’ve known since our early days together in Liverpool.
“She was a good mother to Julian and will be missed by us all but I will always have great memories of our times together.”
Ringo Starr, tweeted a message from him and his wife Barbara Bach, which read: “Peace and love to Julian Lennon God bless Cynthia love Ringo and Barbara xx”.