Paul McCartney Reveals Yoko Ono's Claim About John Lennon's Sexuality

The former Beatle says Ono told him Lennon 'might have been gay' after his death.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 10:28pm

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In a recent interview, Paul McCartney claimed that Yoko Ono, John Lennon's widow, told him shortly after Lennon's death in 1980 that she believed Lennon 'might have been gay.' McCartney said he disagreed with Ono's assessment, noting that he had 'slept with John very often' and 'never saw a gesture, never an expression' that would suggest Lennon was gay. McCartney also recalled rumors about Lennon's sexuality swirling after he traveled with The Beatles' gay manager Brian Epstein in 1963, but said he believed Lennon was just 'playing into the thing' as 'a power play.'

Why it matters

Lennon's sexuality has long been a topic of speculation and debate among fans and biographers. Ono's alleged claim to McCartney adds a new wrinkle to the discussion, coming directly from Lennon's widow. McCartney's rejection of the idea provides an interesting counterpoint, given his close friendship and working relationship with Lennon.

The details

According to McCartney, Ono called him shortly after Lennon's murder in 1980 and told him that she believed Lennon 'might have been gay.' McCartney said he responded by saying he wasn't sure, and that he 'certainly' didn't think so based on his own experiences with Lennon, noting they had been 'around with loads and loads of girls' in the 1960s. McCartney also recalled rumors about Lennon's sexuality after he traveled with The Beatles' gay manager Brian Epstein in 1963, but said he saw that as 'a power play' by Lennon rather than any indication of his own sexuality.

  • Ono allegedly called McCartney shortly after Lennon's death in 1980.
  • McCartney and Lennon were close friends and bandmates in The Beatles during the 1960s.

The players

Yoko Ono

The Japanese-born artist and musician who was married to John Lennon for over 10 years until his death in 1980.

John Lennon

The legendary British musician and co-founder of The Beatles, who was murdered in 1980.

Paul McCartney

The iconic British musician and co-founder of The Beatles, who was close friends and bandmates with John Lennon.

Brian Epstein

The gay manager of The Beatles in the 1960s.

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What they’re saying

“I swear [Ono] rang me shortly after John died and said, 'You know, I think John might have been gay.'”

— Paul McCartney

“I went, 'I'm not sure.' I said, 'I don't think so. Certainly not when I knew him'… because we'd been in the '60s. We'd been around with loads and loads of girls. And I bumped into seeing him jacking … a lot of girl action.'”

— Paul McCartney

The takeaway

Lennon's sexuality has long been a topic of speculation, and Ono's alleged claim to McCartney adds a new layer to the discussion. However, McCartney's rejection of the idea, based on his own experiences with Lennon, provides an interesting counterpoint and highlights the complexities around Lennon's personal life and identity.