Maureen Starkey Tigrett: The Quiet Matriarch of Beatle Legacy

Maureen Starkey Tigrett, born Mary Cox, lived a life that mirrored the turbulence and glamour of the 1960s rock revolution. As the first wife of Ringo Starr, she was thrust into the heart of Beatlemania, enduring its highs and heartbreaks with quiet strength. But Maureen’s story is more than a footnote in Beatles lore—it’s a portrait of a woman who loved deeply, suffered privately, and left a legacy through her children and her quiet resilience.

Liverpool Roots and Early Ambitions

Born on August 4, 1946, in Liverpool, England, Maureen was the only child of Joseph Cox, a ship’s steward, and Florence Barrett Cox. Raised in a working-class household during post-war austerity, Maureen’s upbringing was modest but spirited. She attended a convent school but left at age 14, eager to enter the workforce. She began training as a manicurist and hairdresser at Ashley du Pre, a salon in Liverpool, and quickly developed a reputation for her style and independence.

As a teenager, Maureen became a regular at the Cavern Club, the epicenter of Liverpool’s music scene. She was drawn to the energy of the emerging Merseybeat sound and quickly became part of the fan culture surrounding the Beatles. Her favorite was Ringo Starr—then known as Richard Starkey—and she was determined to catch his eye.

From Fan to Wife

Maureen’s persistence paid off. After weeks of attending Beatles gigs, she finally caught Ringo’s attention. Their relationship began in 1962, and despite the Beatles’ management discouraging public relationships, Maureen and Ringo became inseparable.

Being Ringo’s girlfriend was not easy. Maureen faced jealousy and even physical attacks from other fans. In one incident, she was scratched in the face while waiting for Ringo in his car. The threats became so intense that she had to quit her job as a hairdresser.

Despite the chaos, their bond deepened. In September 1963, Maureen traveled to Greece with Ringo, Paul McCartney, and Jane Asher—a sign of her growing integration into the Beatles’ inner circle. On January 20, 1965, Ringo proposed to Maureen at the Ad Lib Club in London. They married three weeks later on February 11, 1965, at Caxton Hall Register Office.

Children and Domestic Life

Maureen and Ringo had three children together:

Zak Starkey (b. September 13, 1965)

Born in London, Zak was immersed in music from birth. Though Ringo initially discouraged him from becoming a drummer, Zak received his first drum kit from Keith Moon, drummer of The Who, who became a mentor and godfather figure. Zak’s talent blossomed, and by the 1990s, he was touring with The Who, eventually becoming their full-time drummer from 1996 until his departure in 2025.

Zak also played with Oasis, Johnny Marr, Paul Weller, and The Lightning Seeds, among others. He inherited not only his father’s rhythm but also Maureen’s quiet tenacity. Zak has two children: Tatia Jayne Starkey, a musician herself, and Luna Lee Lightnin. Despite his fame, Zak has remained grounded, often crediting Maureen for his emotional foundation.

Jason Starkey (b. August 19, 1967)

Jason pursued a more low-key path. He dabbled in music, playing drums in bands like Buddy Curtis and the Grasshoppers, but eventually shifted toward photography and road management. Known for his dry wit and introspective nature, Jason has kept a low public profile, preferring to support others behind the scenes.

He married Flora Evans and has four children. Jason has spoken candidly about the pressures of growing up in the Beatles’ shadow and the importance of Maureen’s steady presence. “She was the one who kept us normal,” he once said. “She didn’t care about fame—she cared about us.”

Lee Starkey (b. November 11, 1970)

Lee was the youngest of Maureen’s children with Ringo. Artistic and stylish, she pursued fashion design and opened a boutique in London in the 1990s. Her aesthetic blended vintage rock with modern flair, and she became a muse for several designers.

In 1995, Lee was diagnosed with a brain tumor, just months after Maureen’s death. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy, and her recovery became a testament to her mother’s legacy of resilience. Lee later became a spokesperson for cancer awareness and continued her work in fashion. She has three children and remains close to her brothers.

Marital Strain and Divorce

By the early 1970s, cracks began to appear in Maureen and Ringo’s marriage. Ringo struggled with alcoholism and infidelity, while Maureen felt increasingly isolated. In a twist that shocked fans, Maureen had an affair with George Harrison, Ringo’s bandmate and close friend.

The affair, though brief, caused immense tension. Ringo reportedly forgave George but could not reconcile with Maureen. Meanwhile, Ringo began a relationship with American model Nancy Lee Andrews. The couple separated, and their divorce was finalized on July 17, 1975.

Despite the pain, Maureen remained close to Ringo. Friends noted that he never stopped loving her, and they were occasionally seen together with their children at events. Their bond, though fractured, endured through shared history and family.

Reinvention and New Love

After the divorce, Maureen sought a fresh start. She moved away from the public eye and focused on raising her children. In the 1980s, she began a relationship with Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of the Hard Rock Café and House of Blues. They married on May 27, 1989, and had one daughter:

Augusta King Tigrett (b. January 4, 1987)

Augusta was born in the U.S. and raised in a spiritual, philanthropic household. Isaac Tigrett was deeply involved in Eastern mysticism and charitable work, and Maureen supported his ventures. Augusta has remained largely private, though she has expressed interest in art and humanitarian causes.

Maureen’s marriage to Tigrett introduced her to a new world of philanthropy and reflection. She lived in the U.S. and embraced a quieter, more contemplative lifestyle, far removed from the chaos of Beatlemania.

Illness and Death

In the early 1990s, Maureen was diagnosed with leukemia. She underwent treatment at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, including a bone marrow transplant from her son Zak. Despite the aggressive treatment, her condition worsened.

Maureen died on December 30, 1994, at age 48. She was surrounded by her children, mother, ex-husband Ringo Starr, and husband Isaac Tigrett. Her death was a profound loss to those who knew her, and tributes poured in from the Beatles community.

Ringo later said, “She was a beautiful person. She was my friend, and she was the mother of my children. I loved her very much.”

Legacy and Influence

Maureen Starkey’s legacy lives on through her children, especially Zak, whose drumming career honors his father’s musical lineage. Lee Starkey, a cancer survivor herself, has spoken about her mother’s strength and grace during illness. Jason continues to support creative projects behind the scenes, and Augusta quietly pursues artistic and philanthropic interests.

Though Maureen never sought fame, her life was intertwined with one of the most iconic cultural movements of the 20th century. She was a witness to history, a mother of four, and a woman who navigated love, betrayal, and reinvention with quiet dignity.

Her story reminds us that behind every legend is a constellation of lives—some celebrated, others forgotten. Maureen Starkey Tigrett deserves to be remembered not just as Ringo Starr’s wife, but as a woman who lived, loved, and endured.