Challenges in the Life of Yoko Ono in a Detailed Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 24, 2025

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Yoko Ono's life and career.

Yoko Ono is a Japanese multimedia artist, singer, songwriter, and peace activist. Her artistic endeavors span various mediums, including performance art and filmmaking. She is best known for her avant-garde art and her marriage to John Lennon, with whom she collaborated on music and peace campaigns. Ono's work often addresses themes of feminism, peace, and social justice, and she continues to be an influential figure in contemporary art and activism.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

March 9, 1945: Fire-bombing of Tokyo

On March 9, 1945, Yoko Ono experienced the fire-bombing of Tokyo during World War II. She was sheltered with family members in a special bunker.

1962: Divorce and Mental Institution

In 1962, Yoko Ono and Toshi Ichiyanagi divorced. Ono returned home to live with her parents and, suffering from clinical depression, was briefly placed into a Japanese mental institution.

November 21, 1968: Miscarriage of Lennon and Ono's Child

On November 21, 1968, Yoko Ono had a miscarriage of a male child, a few weeks after John Lennon's divorce from Cynthia was granted.

June 1969: Car Crash and Studio Presence

In June 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were involved in a car crash during the recording of Abbey Road. Following the accident, a bed with a microphone was set up in the studio for Ono to provide artistic input on the album. This constant presence of Ono in the studio reportedly strained Lennon's relationships with the other Beatles, leading to friction within the band. There was also an incident of Ono taking George Harrison's chocolate digestive biscuits without asking.

1970: Relocation to Manhattan

After the Beatles disbanded in 1970, Yoko Ono and John Lennon moved permanently to Manhattan to escape tabloid racism towards Ono.

1971: Custody Battle and Disappearance of Kyoko

During a 1971 custody battle, Anthony Cox disappeared with their eight-year-old daughter Kyoko. Cox won custody after claiming that Ono was an unfit mother due to drug use.

July 1973: Separation from Lennon

In July 1973, Yoko Ono and John Lennon separated, with Ono pursuing her career and Lennon living between Los Angeles and New York with May Pang.

1996: Julian Lennon's Settlement with Ono

In 1996, Julian Lennon settled his legal battle with Yoko Ono over his father's will for an unspecified amount reported to be around £20 million.

December 1999: Negative Press from NME

As late as December 1999, NME called Yoko Ono a "no-talent charlatan", reflecting the frequent criticism she faced from the press and public.

December 13, 2006: Arrest of Ono's bodyguard for attempted extortion

On December 13, 2006, Yoko Ono's bodyguard was arrested for allegedly trying to extort $2 million from her, threatening to release private conversations and photographs.

February 16, 2007: Resolution of bodyguard extortion case

On February 16, 2007, Yoko Ono's bodyguard pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny and was sentenced to time served, resolving the extortion case that began in December 2006.

February 26, 2016: Hospitalization Due to Extreme Flu Symptoms

On February 26, 2016, Yoko Ono was hospitalized and rumored to have suffered a stroke, but it was later announced she was experiencing extreme symptoms of the flu.