Forced to Be Hush-Hush
According to the Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, having a wife and child would hurt Lennon’s image, and so, Cynthia was forced to keep her marriage a secret. It was a lot to ask of a young woman who happened to be dating such a famous personality. But, she had no choice.
Cynthia Lennon and Julian Lennon in 1984. Source: Shutterstock
“In fact, I was asked many times if I was John’s wife, and I had to refuse and say, ‘No, no, I’m somebody else,’” she explained in an interview with NPR. They had to get married in a minimalist wedding at the Marylebone register’s office, followed by an informal lunch at a nearby restaurant with George Harrison and Paul McCartney. Then, as a sort of foreshadowing to their future together, Lennon took off.