First wife of British pop icon John Lennon dies at 75

Cynthia Lennon, first wife of one of the 20th century's most iconic musician, John Lennon, has died from cancer.

The couple's only son, Julian Lennon, who was at his mother's bedside when she passed away, announced her death Wednesday night on his website.

John Lennon was a member of the Liverpool band The Beatles, credited with transforming the world of pop music in the early 1960s. Lennon formed a song-writing duo with band member Paul McCartney, generating a string of global hits still as popular today as they were half a century ago.

Julian Lennon announced his mother died aged 75 at her home in Marjorca, Spain, after "a short but brave battle against cancer".

Japanese artist Yoko Ono, who became Lennon's second wife, paid a moving tribute to Cynthia.

Cynthia Lennon studied at Liverpool College of Art in the 1950s where she first met fellow student John Lennon. They married just before the Beatles became the world's most famous pop group. She and John were married on Aug. 23, 1962 in Liverpool when she was 22, a year older than Lennon.

As the Beatles toured the world Cynthia stayed at home looking after Julian, but the couple separated when she discovered Lennon was having an affair with the woman who would become his second wife, the Japanese artist Yoko Ono.

John was assassinated by a gunman outside his home in Manhattan in 1980, with Yoko at his side.

In Liverpool tributes poured in from around the world after the news was released.

Yoko wrote: "I am very saddened by Cynthia's death. She was a great person and a wonderful mother to Julian. She had such a strong zest for life and I feel proud how we two women stood firm in the Beatles' family. Please join me in sending love and support to Julian at this very sad time."

Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr posted a message "Peace and love to Julian Lennon God bless Cynthia love Ringo and Barbara xx".

In a tribute, the Liverpool Echo described Cynthia as a beautiful blonde student who caught John Lennon's eye at Liverpool College of Art.

"Cynthia Powell (her maiden name) was a talented artist, who dreamed of being a teacher. More gifted, maybe, than John," wrote the Echo, recalling a quote from her: "If John hadn't been famous, I would probably have been a teacher going out to work and he would probably have been busking. I don't know. It was just one of those moments -- the right place, the right time." Endit