In a revealing interview with Vanity Fair, originally conducted in 2015 and published recently, music legend Paul McCartney has shared a surprising anecdote about Yoko Ono's thoughts on her husband John Lennon's sexuality. McCartney disclosed that Ono, now 93, once told him she believed Lennon "might have been gay."
Yoko Ono's Startling Revelation
McCartney recalled the moment vividly, stating: "I swear she rang me shortly after John died and said, 'You know, I think John might have been gay.'" The Beatles icon responded with skepticism, telling Ono: "I'm not sure. I don't think so. Certainly not when I knew him."
McCartney elaborated on his perspective, referencing their experiences during the 1960s: "We'd been around with loads and loads of girls. And I bumped into seeing him jacking… a lot of girl action." He further emphasized that despite sharing close quarters with Lennon, including sleeping arrangements, there was never any indication of same-sex attraction. "There was never a gesture, never an expression. It was nothing. So I had no reason to believe this at all," McCartney affirmed.
Historical Context and Relationships
John Lennon and Yoko Ono were married from March 1969 until Lennon's tragic death on December 8, 1980, when he was murdered at age 40 by obsessed fan Mark David Chapman. Their union produced son Sean Ono Lennon, now 50, born in 1975.
Lennon's personal history includes his first marriage to Cynthia Lennon from 1962 to 1968, with whom he had son Julian Lennon, now 62. Yoko Ono's background includes previous marriages to Toshi Ichiyanagi in 1956 and filmmaker Anthony Cox, with whom she shares daughter Kyoko Ono Cox, 62.
Rumors and Speculation
McCartney acknowledged that rumors about Lennon's sexuality had circulated, particularly concerning his relationship with The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein, who was openly gay. However, McCartney maintained his personal belief that nothing romantic or sexual occurred between Lennon and Epstein.
McCartney's Reflections on Beatles Legacy
The interview coincides with the release of "Man on the Run," a documentary about McCartney's life after The Beatles. In recent conversations, the 83-year-old musician has been remarkably candid about his role in the band's dissolution.
"Whenever I hear someone damning Paul McCartney, I tend to agree with them," he admitted. "So when everyone was saying I broke up the Beatles, and I was just overbearing and all of that, I kind of bought into it."
Emotional Documentary Moments
McCartney has become emotional discussing the documentary, particularly when viewing footage of his late wife Linda McCartney, who died in 1998. The couple shared four children: Heather, 63 (adopted), Mary, 56, Stella, 53, and James, 48.
"Seeing me and Linda interacting is very special because, you know, she is not here anymore," McCartney shared. "Me and Linda, the kids. The music. Me and John. These memories, it is like a life flashing in front of you."
He described the experience as both nostalgic and therapeutic: "Even though there are some embarrassing moments, I come out of it thinking, 'Yeah, I'm OK.' All the stuff with the kids and Linda is lovely to see. Obviously, it's emotional because she looks so beautiful. She's so cool."
