Yoko Ono Biography: Husband, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Songs, Awards, Children, Studio Albums, Singles

Yoko Ono is a Japanese multimedia artist, singer, songwriter, and peace activist who has created diverse works, including performance art and filmmaking.

She began her music career in 1969 by forming the Plastic Ono Band with John Lennon.

Their collaboration produced several avant-garde albums, and she achieved significant commercial success with Double Fantasy, released shortly before Lennon’s tragic assassination in 1980.

This album earned her the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, marking a pivotal moment in her music career.

Ono gained international recognition after marrying John Lennon in 1969.

The couple notably used their honeymoon as a platform for anti-Vietnam War protests through their iconic “bed-ins” for peace.

Profile

• Full Name: Yoko Ono
• Stage Name: Yoko Ono
• Born: 18 February 1933
• Age: 91 years old
• Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
• Nationality: Japanese
• Occupation: Japanese multimedia artist, singer, songwriter, and peace activist
• Height: 1.57 m
• Parent: Isoko Ono and Eisuke Ono
• Siblings: Keisuke Ono
• Spouse: John Lennon (m. 1969–1980), Anthony Cox (m. 1963–1969), Anthony Cox ​(m. 1962–1963), Toshi Ichiyanagi ​(m. 1956–1962)​
• Children: Sean Ono Lennon, Kyoko Ono Cox
• Relationship: Widow
• Net Worth: $700 million

Early Life And Education

Yoko Ono was born on February 18, 1933, in Tokyo, Japan, during the Empire of Japan. She is the daughter of Isoko Ono, a homemaker, and Eisuke Ono, a wealthy banker and former classical pianist. Ono has one younger brother, Keisuke.

She attended Gakushūin, a prestigious school in Tokyo, where she developed a deep appreciation for classical music and literature. Upon graduating in 1951, Ono became the first woman admitted to the philosophy program at Gakushūin University, though she left after two semesters to join her family in the United States.

In 1952, Ono moved to New York City and enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied poetry, music composition, and literature. During her time there, she was heavily influenced by avant-garde artists and composers, which shaped her future artistic direction. Though Japanese by heritage, Ono’s personal religious beliefs remain largely unknown.  

Career

Yoko Ono was born into a wealthy family in Tokyo, where she received an elite education that nurtured her early interests in poetry and music. In 1952, she relocated to New York City to join her family and began studying at Sarah Lawrence College.

In the early 1960s, Ono immersed herself in the New York City downtown arts scene, engaging with avant-garde movements like Fluxus. Her marriage to John Lennon in 1969 catapulted her into international prominence, mainly after the couple used their honeymoon as a platform for anti-Vietnam War protests through their iconic “bed-ins” for peace.

Their partnership was also artistic, creating the Plastic Ono Band, a pioneering collaboration in avant-garde music. Ono’s musical career took off in 1969 with the formation of the Plastic Ono Band alongside Lennon.

The duo released several experimental albums throughout the 1970s, solidifying Ono’s place in the music industry. However, their collaboration on Double Fantasy in 1980 brought Ono commercial and critical acclaim, winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year shortly before Lennon’s tragic assassination.

Beyond her success in popular music, Ono achieved remarkable recognition as a solo artist. With twelve number-one singles on the US Dance charts, she was named the 11th most successful dance club artist by Billboard magazine in 2016. Her influence on music and culture is widely acknowledged, with tributes from musicians like Elvis Costello, Sonic Youth, and Meredith Monk.

Ono’s legacy extends far beyond her artistic achievements. As the widow of John Lennon, she has worked diligently to preserve his memory and promote peace through numerous philanthropic efforts. She funded the Strawberry Fields Memorial in Central Park, the Imagine Peace Tower in Iceland, and the John Lennon Museum in Japan.

Additionally, she has made substantial contributions to humanitarian causes, including peace, disaster relief, and human rights. Through the LennonOno Grant for Peace, established in 2002, she supports global social change initiatives.

Recognized for her profound impact on art and activism, Ono has received numerous accolades, including the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale. Her enduring influence on contemporary art, music, and social justice inspires new generations worldwide.

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards:

• 1982: Album of the Year (for “Double Fantasy” with John Lennon) – Won   
• 2001: Best Long Form Music Video (for “Gimme Some Truth: The Making of John Lennon’s Imagine Album”) – Won   
• 1982: Record of the Year (for “(Just Like) Starting Over” with John Lennon) – Nominated   
• 1982: Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female (for “Walking On Thin Ice”) – Nominated   
• 1985: Best Spoken Word Album (for “Heart Play (Unfinished Dialogue)” with John Lennon) – Nominated

Primetime Emmy Awards:

• 2022: Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series (for “The Beatles: Get Back”) – Won   

PGA Awards:

• 2022: Outstanding Producer of Nonfiction Television (for “The Beatles: Get Back”) – Won   

Dr. Rainer Hildebrandt Human Rights Award:

• 2012: Awarded for her human rights activism   

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @yokoono
• Facebook handle: Yoko Ono
• Twitter handle: @yokoono

Personal Life

Yoko Ono has been married three times throughout her life. In 1956, she married Toshi Ichiyanagi, a Japanese avant-garde composer and pianist. The couple divorced in 1962.

In 1962, Ono married American film producer and art promoter Anthony Cox. Their initial marriage was annulled in 1963 because Ono did not finalize her divorce from Ichiyanagi, but they remarried later that same year. Together, they had a daughter, Kyoko Chan Cox, before divorcing in 1969.

Ono’s most notable and influential relationship was with John Lennon, the iconic musician of The Beatles. They met in the mid-1960s and began a relationship, marrying in 1969.

Their marriage was marked by artistic collaboration and a shared commitment to peace activism. The couple had one son, Sean Taro Ono Lennon. Their partnership lasted until Lennon’s tragic death in 1980, leaving a lasting impact on Ono’s personal and professional life.

Since Lennon’s death, Ono has not remarried, yet their relationship remains a central and defining aspect of her life and legacy. Their creative and social contributions continue to shape her work and public identity.

Discography

Studio Albums:

• Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
• Fly (1971)
• Some Time in New York City (with John Lennon) (1972)
• Approximately Infinite Universe (1973)
• Feeling the Space (1973)
• A Story (1974)
• Double Fantasy (with John Lennon) (1980)
• Season of Glass (1981)
• It’s Alright (I Love You Anyway) (1982)
• Starpeace (1985)
• Unfinished Music No. 2: Wedding Album (with John Lennon) (1969)
• Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins (with John Lennon) (1968)
• Milk and Honey (with John Lennon) (1984)
• Onobox (1992)
• Rising (1995)
• Blueprint for a Sunrise (2001)
• Between My Head and the Sky (2009)
• Yoko Ono Plays Yoko Ono (2010)
• Take Me to the Land of Hell (2013)
• Yes, I’m a Witch Too (2016)
• Warzone (2018)

Singles

• “Give Peace a Chance” (with the Plastic Ono Band) (1969)
• “Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)” (with John Lennon) (1970)
• “Imagine” (with John Lennon) (1971)
• “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (with John Lennon) (1971)
• “Walking on Thin Ice” (1981)
• “Hell in Paradise” (1985)

Net Worth

As of 2025, Yoko Ono’s net worth is estimated at approximately $700 million. This wealth primarily comes from her marriage to John Lennon, her music career, and various investments, particularly in real estate.

Ono has earned significant royalties from iconic songs she co-wrote, such as “Imagine” and “Give Peace a Chance,” along with her ownership of the Lennon-McCartney song catalog. Additionally, her successful career as an artist and her involvement in philanthropy have further contributed to her financial standing.