The Beatles' Children: All 11 Kids of the Fab Four

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The Beatles changed the world. But behind the music, the tours, and the mythology, four young men from Liverpool were also becoming fathers. Between them, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison had 11 children — born across four decades, raised in the shadow of the most famous band in history, and each finding their own way forward.

Some followed their fathers into music. Some built careers in fashion, photography, or film. Some have embraced the spotlight; others have quietly stepped away from it. All of them carry a name that opens doors and invites comparisons that can never quite be escaped.

This is their story.

John Lennon's Children

Julian Lennon

Born: 8 April 1963, Liverpool
Mother: Cynthia Powell

John Lennon's firstborn son arrived in April 1963, just as Beatlemania was beginning to take hold. Julian Charles John Lennon was named after John's mother Julia, who had died in 1958. He grew up largely apart from his father, whose relationship with Yoko Ono and subsequent move to New York left a distance that was never fully bridged before John's murder in December 1980.

Julian became a musician in his own right, releasing his debut album Valotte in 1984 to considerable commercial success and a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. He has released seven studio albums in total, and has also worked as a photographer, film producer and children's book author. His relationship with his father's legacy — and with Yoko Ono — has been complex and publicly documented.

→ Full profile: Julian Lennon

Sean Lennon

Born: 9 October 1975, New York City
Mother: Yoko Ono

Sean Taro Ono Lennon was born on his father's 35th birthday — a coincidence John Lennon described as one of the great gifts of his life. John took five years away from music after Sean's birth to be a hands-on father, a period he described as the happiest of his life. He was killed when Sean was just five years old.

Sean has built an extensive musical career, releasing five solo albums and collaborating with artists including Lana Del Rey and Marianne Faithfull. He was an executive producer on the animated short War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2024.

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Paul McCartney's Children

Heather McCartney

Born: 31 December 1962
Mother: Linda Eastman (adopted by Paul McCartney in 1969)

Heather Louise Eastman was Linda's daughter from a previous relationship, adopted by Paul when he married Linda in 1969. She has largely avoided the public eye, working as a potter and launching a homeware brand, the Heather McCartney Houseware Collection, in 1999.

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Mary McCartney

Born: 28 August 1969, London
Mother: Linda McCartney

Mary Anna McCartney inherited her mother Linda's passion for photography. Her work has appeared in Vogue and GQ, and she photographed Queen Elizabeth II's official portrait in 2015. She has also written vegetarian cookbooks and directed the 2022 documentary If These Walls Could Sing, about Abbey Road Studios.

→ Full profile: Mary McCartney

Stella McCartney

Born: 13 September 1971, London
Mother: Linda McCartney

Stella Nina McCartney is arguably the most famous of the Beatles' children. A world-renowned fashion designer, her eponymous label is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability and animal-free materials — a continuation of her parents' lifelong advocacy for animal rights and vegetarianism.

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James McCartney

Born: 12 September 1977, London
Mother: Linda McCartney

James Louis McCartney is the most musically active of Paul's children, having collaborated on two of his father's solo albums and released two studio albums of his own, including The Blackberry Train (2016).

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Beatrice McCartney

Born: 28 October 2003
Mother: Heather Mills

Beatrice Milly McCartney is Paul's youngest child, born during his marriage to Heather Mills. She has grown up largely out of the public eye.

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Ringo Starr's Children

Zak Starkey

Born: 13 September 1965, London
Mother: Maureen Cox

Zak Starkey inherited his father's gift for percussion and has become one of rock's most in-demand drummers, playing with The Who and Oasis among others. He co-founded the record label Trojan Jamaica and has produced Grammy Award-winning work.

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Jason Starkey

Born: 19 August 1967, London
Mother: Maureen Cox

Jason Richard Starkey played drums in indie bands before moving into road management and later photography. He is married to Superfine Jeans co-founder Flora Evans.

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Lee Starkey

Born: 11 November 1970, London
Mother: Maureen Cox

Lee Parkin Starkey is Ringo's only daughter. She has worked as a makeup artist and fashion designer, and is the mother of triplets.

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George Harrison's Son

Dhani Harrison

Born: 1 August 1978, Windsor
Mother: Olivia Arias

Dhani Harrison is George's only child, born eight years after The Beatles broke up. He studied physics and industrial design at Brown University before working as an aerodynamicist for McLaren. He contributed to his father's final album Brainwashed (2002) and has released music with his band Thenewno2 and as a solo artist.

→ Full profile: Dhani Harrison

The Beatles' Children at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

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