Similar to many of history’s most fascinating women, Yoko Ono’s legacy precedes her. The Japanese avant-garde artist, musician, filmmaker, activist and humanitarian has made an impact that spans every avenue of culture. Born into a wealthy family, she moved to New York in the 1950s and served as a key figure in the Fluxus art movement.
Many people know Ono as the wife of John Lennon. The two were ultimately artistic partners who shaped a radical legacy of love, peace and creativity. Beyond their relationship, Ono’s mind has made her one of culture’s most compelling figures. Here’s a deeper look at her journey and the net worth she’s accumulated along the way.
Yoko Ono Before Fame
Before becoming the icon she is today, Ono was born on Feb. 18, 1933 and raised among Tokyo’s elite. She attended the prestigious Gakushuin school, studying philosophy at Gakushuin University before moving to New York. She has openly acknowledged her privileged upbringing, though she credits wartime displacement for deepening her sense of humanity and resilience.
In New York, she studied at Sarah Lawrence College. There, she served as the mastermind behind performance pieces, like “Cut Piece,” where viewers were interactively able to cut away her clothes. All of her conceptual works challenged societal norms, quickly making her a figure at the forefront of the art genre. She soon collaborated with names, like John Cage and Nam June Paik, before meeting John Lennon.
How Did Yoko Ono Become Famous?
While she was most certainly already respected within the art realm, Ono didn’t build a public forum until her relationship with John Lennon began in 1966. The couple’s artistic collaborations, including the “Bed-Ins for Peace,” thrust her into the spotlight of pop culture. They were soulmates when it came to the way they saw the world.
When they eventually married in 1969, Ono was getting a lot of attention and not all of it was positive. Many blamed her for the Beatles’ breaking up, projecting much of her anger onto her. After her husband’s death, she continued to make music and conceptual works, releasing albums like “Season of Glass.” Gradually, she reshaped her public perception and solidified herself as a visionary figure in her own right.
Artistry
Ono’s art defies the confinement of categorization. Her work is integrative and interactive, spanning across film, music and installations. Some of her career-defining pieces include 1964’s “Cut Piece,” “Grapefruit,” and Fluxus performance events, which aimed to challenge audience trust and cultural norms. Musically, she leaned experimental, forming The Plastic Ono Band alongside Lennon as an artist collective that housed their collaborative musical and sound art projects. She also released her solo project “Yes, I’m a Witch” in 2007, infusing punk and electronica sounds. Exhibitions of her art continue to be showcased major museums across the world, reinforcing her status as a pioneering female conceptual artist.
Business Endeavors
Ono has undoubtedly cultivated a substantial fortune. Her money stems from multiple income streams. The most significant would be music royalties, as she inherited Lennon’s estate, including Beatles and solo catalogs. She continues to earn significant royalties from licensing and streaming. She also oversees all intellectual property belonging to Lennon projects and supports numerous causes, hoping to preserve Lennon’s heartfelt legacy. As an artist, her global exhibitions are successful and critically acclaimed, upping her income as well.
What Is Yoko Ono’s Net Worth?
Ono’s current net worth is estimated to be around $700 million. However, much of this wealth is the inheritance of Lennon’s legacy, including real estate, streaming, licensing and art. With that, she stands among the wealthiest artists and estate holders in history, ranking just behind Paul McCartney.
Why Did Julian Lennon Sue Yoko Ono?
It hasn’t all been pretty. Julian Lennon, Lennon’s son from his first marriage, has very publicly voiced frustration about being excluded from his dad’s estate management. While he’s threatened legal action multiple times, no formal lawsuit has been filed as of yet. However, Julian has expressed in interviews that Ono didn’t properly credit him for Lennon’s musical inspiration, nor has she shared financial arrangements transparently. Their relationship continues to be strained.
Why Did John Lennon Leave Yoko Ono?
In 1973, Lennon and Ono experienced an 18-month separation from each other. They both have noted that this period was primarily driven by the weight of the political strife, especially following Nixon’s 1972 re-election and their deportation battles. This all impacted Lennon’s mental health greatly, pushing him to seek space and freedom while living in Los Angeles and distancing himself from Ono. Luckily, they reconciled in early 1975 and remained devoted until his death.
Was Yoko Ono’s Family Wealthy?
Ono has always lived within financial abundance. She was born into the Yasuda family, who form part of Japan’s pre-war financial aristocracy. Her father was a pianist-bank official and her mother was a respected painter. While she experienced great wealth as a child, WWII forced her family to relocate to the United States. Despite her life of wealth, Ono cultivated a great sense of independence, pursuing educational and artistic paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Yoko Ono’s daughter? Yoko Ono’s daughter, Kyoko Chan Cox, was at the center of a custody battle with her father, Anthony Cox, after her parents’ divorce. Kyoko was raised in a cult and didn’t reunite with her mother until she was 30 years old.
How old was Yoko Ono when she had her son? Yoko Ono gave birth to her second child, Sean Taro Ono Lennon, at age 42.
Did Yoko Ono have a relationship after John Lennon died? After John Lennon’s death, Ono went on to date interior designer Sam Havadtoy, though the two split in 2001.
What is Yoko Ono doing now? Yoko Ono is now 92 years old, living a slow and quiet life on her farm in upstate New York.