'Sex Pistol' John Lydon's wife Nora Forster dies at 80 after five-year-long battle with Alzheimer's disease
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: John Lydon's wife of 44 years, Nora Forster, has died aged 80 after a five-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Her death was announced by the former Sex Pistols frontman band Public Image Ltd. The singer, 67, would often speak about taking care of Nora, who he previously said he "always loved" and without whom his life would be "unbearable."
"It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news that Nora Forster - John Lydon's wife of nearly five decades - has passed away," the band wrote a heartfelt statement on its official Twitter page. "Nora had been living with Alzheimer's for several years. During this time, John had become her full-time carer. Please respect John's grief and allow him space. Rest in Peace Nora." The punk singer, formerly known as Johnny Rotten, served as her primary carer for some five years after she was diagnosed with the illness in 2018 when the couple resided in southern California.
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1/2 Rest in Peace Nora Forster
— John Lydon Official (@lydonofficial) April 6, 2023
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. pic.twitter.com/MmQQdtmrjG
Lydon's track 'Hawaii' was inspired by his late wife Forster
The British singer, who spread awareness for Alzheimer’s, had put his pioneering career on hold to indulge his time entirely in taking care of Forster. Lydon had recently performed his latest track 'Hawaii,' in the Eurovision 2023 contest which was inspired by his late wife. In a statement in January, during the completion of Ireland's representation in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest with the new song, Lydon said: "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."
2/2 Please respect John's grief and allow him space.
— John Lydon Official (@lydonofficial) April 6, 2023
Rest in Peace Nora. Heart felt condolences to John from Rambo and all at PiL Official.
Photo @ Andy Cantillon / JRJL Productions 2010
In an interview with London’s Sunday Times, Lydon talked about how his wife’s illness has impacted his life. “All the things I thought were the ultimate agony seem preposterous now. It’s shaped me into what I am. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. I don’t see how I can live without her. I wouldn’t want to. There’s no point,” he said in February.
How did Lydon and Forster meet?
Born Nora Maier, she was a publishing heiress from Germany. She later became a promoter which stemmed from her passion for music. Lydon and Forster met each other in 1975 at Vivienne Westwood's famed clothing store 'Sex' on King's Road. While the couple initially left things just as friends, Lydon admitted that there was an immediate and explosive connection that he felt.
"It's love, you know. I've always loved that woman. And she knows it. When we met we didn't expect to get on. We'd both been told the other was bad. But blimey. Sparks flew. It was an instant attraction. And that's never gone. I never expected to feel like that. I never thought I was in any way attractive. Or anyone's idea of a good date,' he told The Guardian in 2022. The pair later married four years later in Düsseldorf in 1979.