Biographie

Has a stunning amount in common with Linda McCartney, Paul McCartney's late wife. Both women were raised in extremely wealthy environments. Both attempted to make it on their own (McCartney as a photographer, Ono as an actress and artist), only to later be accused of marrying their husbands for their money despite their families' wealth. Both attended Sarah Lawrence College (at different times) and left without finishing degrees. Both married a frontman for the Beatles, and these weddings took place eight days apart in March 1969 (the McCartneys were first). Both women were pregnant at their weddings (Ono later suffered a miscarriage, McCartney later gave birth to Mary McCartney). Both had a daughter from a previous marriage. Both had mentally unstable former husbands (Ono's later kidnapped their daughter and took her to a fundamentalist Christian commune; McCartney's committed suicide in 2000). Both were accused of playing a major role in the Beatles' breakup. Both suffered personal attacks by fans and by the press. Both suffered attacks on their musical talent (particularly vocal) by fans and the press. Both were older than their husbands. Both were activists.

The term "Yoko factor", referring to the influence of wives or girlfriends on a band's politics or business, comes from her constant presence (and kibitzing) at latter-day Beatles recording sessions. (Lennon broke the longstanding no-wives-or-girlfriends rule the Beatles had in the studio, to bring her there.).

Elton John is the godfather of her son Sean Lennon

Her name translates into English as "Ocean Child." When John Lennon wrote the 1968 White Album song "Julia" about his mother Julia Lennon, he incorporated "ocean child" into the lyrics.

Before meeting John Lennon, Yoko claimed that the only Beatle Ono knew by name was Ringo, as the word means "apple" in Japanese. In spite of this claim, there is a wealth of evidence that she was very familiar with the Beatles and fan. McCartney has said that she approached him before she ever met Lennon, and Lennon's wife's reported that Yoko pursued Lennon.

"Arnold Schwarzenegger" [Her response to an interviewer's question as to which historical figure she most identifies with the letter A].

When I met John I was at the point of disappearance, in the eyes of other people and myself. Where could I go after I'd done the silent music and they still didn't catch up on it? You see, the things that I did then I feel were in a field that no one has really touched on yet. I think I had something to offer but people did all sorts of things to misunderstand me and I was very lonely. I just can't stand that loneliness and always being at the point of disappearing. So I'm quite happy screaming and all that, making my presence clear, and it's a healthier thing to do.

If John was still alive we would have retired to Cornwall. He said we would be sitting in rocking chairs together, waiting for a postcard to come from Sean.

I thought art was a verb, rather than a noun.

(about her relationship with the Beatles) It was like, I went to bed with this guy I liked, and when I woke up, there were these three faces staring at me.