Cynthia Lennon, the first wife of John Lennon, died Wednesday following “a short but brave battle with cancer,” according to a message posted on her son Julian Lennon’s website. She was 75.
According to the message, Lennon died at home in Mallorca, Spain.
“Her son Julian Lennon was at her bedside throughout,” the message reads. “The family are thankful for your prayers.”
Born Cynthia Powell in 1939, Lennon married John in 1962, just as the Beatles were beginning their rise to superstardom. The couple’s son, Julian (pictured with Cynthia above), was born the following year. The pair had met while attending the Liverpool College of Art.
The couple divorced in 1968, after Lennon began a relationship with Japanese avant-garde artist Yoko Ono.
Cynthia would go on to marry three more times, to Italian hotelier Roberto Bassanini; engineer John Twist; and nightclub owner Noel Charles.
Lennon wrote a memoir, “A Twist of Lennon,” which was published in 1978.
Peace and love to Julian Lennon God bless Cynthia love Ringo and Barbaraxx
— Ringo Starr (@ringostarrmusic) April 1, 2015
Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr offered his condolences on Twitter, writing, “Peace and love to Julian Lennon God bless Cynthia.”
John Lennon was shot to death by Mark David Chapman in 1980.
