John Lydon’s wife Nora Forster has died aged 80, a statement on the former Sex Pistols frontman’s Twitter account says.
The singer formerly known as Johnny Rotten, 67, had previously spoken about caring for his wife who had Alzheimer’s disease.
The statement said: ‘Rest in Peace Nora Forster. 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.
‘Nora had been living with Alzheimer’s for several years. In which time John had become her full-time carer.
‘Please respect John’s grief and allow him space.
‘Rest in Peace Nora. Heart felt condolences to John from Rambo and all at PiL Official.’
John Lydon ‘s wife Nora Forster has died aged 80, a statement on the former Sex Pistols frontman’s Twitter account says. Pictured together in 2005
Lydon, 67, admitted recently that life without the publishing heiress, his wife of 44-years, was unthinkable. They are pictured together in 2001
The British punk pioneer lived in southern California with Nora and served as her primary carer for some five years after she was diagnosed with the illness.
Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative condition that progressively worsens and ultimately leads to death.
Lydon, 67, admitted recently that life without the publishing heiress, his wife of 44-years, was unthinkable, in part because his position as her carer defined who he is.
The Public Image Ltd (PiL) singer told The Times in February: ‘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.’
‘And, I’m sorry, but it’s worth every moment. No joy comes without pain and, boy, do I know that now.’
‘It’s not a job at all,’ he said of tending to Nora. ‘You make your commitment to a person and nothing changes. These are the cards life dealt, and my mum and dad were right: never show self-pity. Ever.’
London-born Lydon has worked tirelessly over recent years to raise awareness around Alzheimer’s.
Lydon recently auditioned to represent Ireland – the country of his parents’ birth – with self-written track Hawaii, a song inspired by his wife’s condition
He recently auditioned to represent Ireland – the country of his parents’ birth – with his band Public Image Ltd (PiL) performing self-written track Hawaii.
He struggled to hold back tears in January, as he revealed the song was dedicated to Nora and inspired by her condition.
Explaining the song’s lyrics, John shared: ‘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.’
John Lydon and Nora Forster in 1984. The couple were married for nearly five decades
He added about the tune during an appearance on Good Morning Britain: ‘This is the beginning of a new journey. Oddly enough, as bad as Alzheimer’s is, there are great moments of tenderness between us.
‘I try to capture that in the song. It’s not all waiting for the Grim Reaper. I can see the personality in her eyes that lets me know.
‘Her communication skills are letting her down. I’m just blessed that I can be there and catch on to that and pass something useful on to other people.’
Lydon explained that his time as a carer meant he understood the devastating impact an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can have on couples.
‘I care now for all of its victims. Particularly spouses that have to endure this. What you’ve got to do is fight.’
John Lyndon, aka Johnny Rotten, and Nora Foster attend the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival
In the song, which he described as a ‘love letter’ to his wife, Lydon reflected on his over forty years with Nora, and in particular, one of their happiest moments in Hawaii.
Speaking to The Sun, John discussed the song’s lyrics, ‘remember me, I remember you,’ and how he became overwhelmed at the sadness of the illness.
‘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.’
The former Sex Pistol appeared on Loose Women in 2021, and said of caring for his wife: ‘It’s both physically and mentally demanding… but at least she’s happy and that’s it’
While his audition for this year’s Eurovision was unsuccessful, the singer drew attention to Alzheimer’s before returning to his wife in LA and resuming his primary role as her carer
Seeing his emotion, GMB host Susanna Reid said: ‘Tell us about Nora because whatever happens, whether you secure the nomination to perform, you have already won.
‘This song is beautiful and I know that it makes you very emotional, the process of writing it, tell us about your wife.
‘You are her carer, she has suffered from dementia with Alzheimer’s for years, you have a very special bond though don’t you.’
While his Dublin audition for this year’s Eurovision was unsuccessful, the singer drew attention to the illness before returning to his wife in Los Angeles and resuming his primary role as her carer.
The former Sex Pistol also appeared on Loose Women in 2021, and said of caring for his wife: ‘It’s both physically and mentally demanding… but at least she’s happy and that’s it’
Lydon found fame with The Sex Pistols alongside guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassist Glen Matlock. Matlock was replaced by Sid Vicious in early 1977
Punk pioneers: (L-R) Johnny Rotten (John Lydon), Sid Vicious, Steve Jones and Paul Cook of The Sex Pistols during their final tour
Lydon found fame with The Sex Pistols in the 1970s alongside guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassist Glen Matlock. Matlock was replaced by Sid Vicious in early 1977.
He was the lead singer from 1975 until 1978, later fronting the band for various revivals during the 1990s and 2000s.
The Sex Pistols’ only album, Never Mind the B*****ks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977) — a UK number one — is now a staple record of punk rock.
In 1978, Lydon formed PiL, with the first line-up of the band including bassist Jah Wobble and former Clash guitarist Keith Levene.
In 2020, Lydon spoke about scrapping a highly-anticipated Public Image Ltd (PiL) album to focus on caring for his wife.
The British punk pioneer lived in southern California with Nora and served as her primary carer for some five years after she was diagnosed with the illness
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