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Cynthia Lennon, first wife of John Lennon, dies at 75

Cynthia Lennon, the first wife John Lennon and mother of son Julian Lennon, has died in Spain after a short battle with cancer.
Cynthia Lennon, Nov. 8, 1968. (Photo by John Rodgers/Redferns/Getty)
Cynthia Lennon, Nov. 8, 1968.

Cynthia Lennon, the first wife of the late Beatles member John Lennon and mother of son Julian Lennon, has died in Spain, a family spokeswoman said Wednesday. She was 75.

Cynthia Lennon passed away at her home in Mallorca following a " short but brave battle with cancer," according to a statement.

"Her son Julian Lennon was at her bedside throughout," the statement said. "The family are thankful for your prayers. Please respect their privacy at this difficult time."

Born Cynthia Powell, of Blackpool, England, she met John Lennon at 18 before he became known as a music icon. They were married in 1962, but divorced in 1968. A year later, John Lennon married Yoko Ono.

This post originally appeared on NBCNews.com.