Yoko Ono was catapulted into the global spotlight when she tied the knot with The Beatles' legendary guitarist, John Lennon, in 1969. But let’s rewind a bit—Yoko and John first crossed paths three years earlier at one of her avant-garde art exhibits. That meeting sparked a love story that resonated with fans worldwide, and it wasn’t just about music—it was about art, activism, and making a difference. Since then, Yoko has carved out an impressive entertainment career of her own, which has significantly contributed to her staggering net worth.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Yoko's estimated fortune stands at a cool $700 million. Born in Japan in 1933, she moved to the United States to study at the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College. In 1956, she married Japanese composer Toshi Ichiyanagi. Her journey into the avant-garde art scene began to take off in the early ‘60s, and she quickly became a force to be reckoned with in the art world.
Artistic Beginnings and Personal Evolution
Yoko's first marriage to Toshi Ichiyanagi ended in 1962, and she quickly remarried producer Anthony Cox that same year. However, their union was annulled in 1963 due to legal complications with her previous divorce, as reported by The Beatles Bible. Undeterred, Yoko and Anthony remarried in 1963, making their marriage official this time around. They became creative partners, welcoming their daughter, Kyoko Chan Cox, on August 8, 1963.
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John Lennon and Yoko Ono: A Partnership Beyond Music
Yoko divorced her second husband in 1969, clearing the way for her to marry John Lennon later that year. Their relationship wasn’t just about love—it was about collaboration. Even while John was still married to Cynthia Lennon, they worked together on their first experimental album. Yoko lent her vocal talents to The Beatles’ ninth studio album and co-founded The Plastic Ono Band with John.
The couple released eight studio albums together before John’s tragic death in 1980. After losing her beloved partner, Yoko was determined to keep John’s legacy alive by showcasing his artistic side. She partnered with galleries, museums, and distributors to make prints of his sketches available to the public.
“After John’s passing, my first thought was... well, I have to finish Milk and Honey. But after that, I thought we should do something about John’s artwork,” Yoko shared with Esquire in October 2015. “So, I brought in professionals to help create a program, and it worked beautifully. Now, John’s work is exhibited in many places around the world.”
Continuing the Legacy
In the wake of John’s murder, Yoko released Season of Glass, which climbed to No. 49 on the Billboard 200 Album chart. She also found chart success with Milk and Honey, her final album with John, which was released posthumously. In 2009, The Plastic Ono Band made a triumphant return, featuring John and Yoko’s son, Sean Lennon, as part of the lineup. The band has since collaborated with legendary artists like Lenny Kravitz, Questlove, and the Beastie Boys.
In 2017, the National Music Publishers Association announced that Yoko would receive songwriting credits on John’s timeless hit, “Imagine.” This change was inspired by a rediscovered clip of John discussing Yoko’s influence on the song. Her son, Sean, celebrated the moment with her at the event and has always admired his mother’s unwavering strength in the industry.
“I don’t really know where my mom got her rebellious nature from, but she obviously has it in spades,” Sean revealed to Harper’s Bazaar in July 2017. “She just does what she feels; she doesn’t belabor anything or second-guess herself. From a very early age, she was pushing boundaries and creating truly groundbreaking work.”
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