John Lydon’s wife Nora Forster has died aged 80 after her Alzheimer’s battle.
John Lydon’s wife Nora Forster has died aged 80 after her Alzheimer’s battle
The former Sex Pistols frontman, 67, became a primary carer for the German heiress after she was diagnosed with the disease in 2018, and recently spoken of his pain over watching her memory slip away as he launched a Eurovision song entry in her honour earlier this year.
Announcing Nora’s death on his Twitter feed on Thursday (06.04.23), a statement from John, aka Johnny Rotten, who now fronts his Public Image Ltd (PiL) band, said alongside a picture of him hugging his late wife: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news that Nora Forster – John Lydon’s wife of nearly 5 decades – has passed away.
“Nora had been living with Alzheimer’s for several years. In which time John had become her full time carer.”
The statement added about John’s desire to grieve in peace: “Please respect John’s grief and allow him space. Rest in Peace Nora. Heart felt condolences to John from Rambo (John’s manager) and all at PiL Official.”
John – whose mum was born in County Cork, while his dad is from Galway – lost his bid in February to represent their native Ireland at this year’s upcoming Eurovision contest with PiL and their track ‘Hawaii’.
He told The Sun before the loss, in an emotional interview during which he held back tears, about how the lyrics referenced Nora’s Alzheimer’s fight: “We spent a magnificent holiday in Hawaii after a tour once and it was just the greatest week of our lives.
“Now her memories are fading, I wanted to bring something like that back to her. I get broke up even thinking about it... it is a song about the dissipation of a human being that I dearly love, in front of my very eyes.”
John added playing his music at their home in Venice Beach helps her remember who he is, and said she would say “Johnny” when she hears it.
He added Nora she knew it was him under the Jester outfit when he recently appeared on the US version of The Masked Singer, and joked: “She was quick to point me out and it wasn’t just because of the fake pot belly.”
The punk veteran added he became overcome with sadness when looking at the lyrics for the ‘Hawaii’ track, which included the words “Remember me, I remember you”.
John added about his hope the song would help fellow carers and those going through hard times with loved ones: “It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most.
“It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”
Former actor, model and music promotor Nora, who was a German publishing heiress, and was being cared for by John at their LA home, worked with acts including Jimi Hendrix, Wishbone Ash and Yes, and financially supported bands such as The Slits, Sex Pistols and The Clash.
She and John met at the late Vivienne Westwood’s London clothes store, Sex, in 1975 and got married in Germany four years later.
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