Yoko Ono Never Moved On From John Lennon, Says Son

Lauren Novak December 6, 2024

John Lennon and Yoko Ono photographed on November 2, 1980 - the first time in five years that Lennon had been photographed professionally and the last comprehensive photo shoot of his life — Jack Mitchell/Getty Images

It is hard to believe that it has been 44 years since the world lost Beatles icon John Lennon on December 8, 1980, when he was shot outside his home by Mark David Chapman. But as Lennon’s son Sean Lennon recently revealed, for his mother and Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, John has never really gone away.

The 49-year-old admitted in a recent interview, “I grew up with my mom speaking about my dad every day. She famously cut her hair when my dad died [because] in Japan, you used to cut your hair when your husband dies. So she spoke of him every day and I think she never has moved on from that relationship.”

Let It Be John Lennon, Yoko Ono, 1970, rehearsing in the studio

Everett Collection

Sean even opened up about the infamous “Lost Weekend,” the time in which his parents separated for 18 months and Lennon lived with girlfriend May Pang.

He shared, “The truth is, even when they were apart, they were always talking. So I don’t think they ever really broke up. All his stuff was still in the apartment with my mom. It’s not like they had a real separation. I think it’s clear what his view of my mom was in his life. She was monumental, obviously, and the whole album is about her. She’s there in the studio … It sort of confirmed how deeply in love he was with my mom.”

(Original Caption) Yoko and John...Beatle John Lennon and Yoko Ono, his bride of three months at the time this photo was made in Montreal in June 1969, pose in bed. His first solo album at the time featured songs telling of his love for Yoko. They held, in bed, press conferences in several cities with the theme, "make love, not war." Lennon was shot to death December 8, 1980. In a statement December 9th, Miss Ono said, "There is no funeral for John. Later in the week we will set the time for silent vigil to pray for his soul. We invite you to participate from wherever you are at the time."

Getty Images

Sean is a musician himself, and recently helped reissue his father’s 1973 album Mind Games, which was recorded and released during the couple’s separation. Although they were apart, Sean said that you could feel the love that his dad felt for his mom in the album’s songs.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Yoko Ono (L) and Sean Lennon attend a Council Reception launching Yoko Ono's exhibition 'To The Light' at The Serpentine Gallery on June 18, 2012 in London, England

Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

He added, “The whole album is about my mom. They’re mostly love songs about her. My dad declared to the world that ‘John and Yoko’ were one word. I think he always had his heart set on her. He was so in love with her. They had a legendary love and I think that this album is infused with that love. You can hear it.”

Yoko Ono Never Moved On From John Lennon, Says Son

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