Yoko Ono

:For the Die Ärzte song, see Yoko Ono (song)

Early Life

Born into a privileged background, she was the oldest child of Isoko Isuda, a member of one of Japan's wealthiest banking families, and Eisuke Ono, who sacrificed a career as a classically-trained pianist to work as a banker. She attended the exclusive Gakushuin academy in Tokyo from primary school to the college division.

Related Topics:
Banking - Gakushuin - Primary school - College

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During World War II, the Ono family survived the bombing of Tokyo in an underground shelter. Ono and her siblings fled to the countryside, and were forced to beg for food while pulling their belongings in a wheelbarrow. Her father remained in the city and, unbeknownst to them, was incarcerated in a prisoner of war camp in China.

Related Topics:
World War II - Wheelbarrow - Prisoner of war camp - China

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After the war, Ono's family moved to Scarsdale, New York. She soon enrolled in Sarah Lawrence College.

Related Topics:
Scarsdale, New York - Sarah Lawrence College

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1956, she married composer Toshi Ichiyanagi. They divorced in 1962.

Related Topics:
1956 - Married - Composer - Toshi Ichiyanagi

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ono married American Anthony Cox on November 28, 1962. Cox was a jazz musician, film producer, and art promoter. Their marriage was annulled on March 1, 1963; they re-married on June 6, and finally divorced on February 2, 1969. Their daughter, Kyoko Chan Cox, was born on August 8, 1963. After a bitter legal battle, Ono was awarded permanent custody of Kyoko. However, in 1971 Cox, who had become a Christian fundamentalist after his divorce from Ono, abducted Kyoko and vanished. Ono and her daughter were finally reunited in 1998.

Related Topics:
Jazz - Film producer - Annulled - March 1 - 1963 - June 6 - February 2 - 1969 - Kyoko Chan Cox - August 8 - Custody - Christian fundamentalist - Abducted

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~