Aunt Mimi


John Lennon was born in 1940, early in the Second World War. When he was a baby his father, Freddie Lennon, went away to sea. He never really came back.

Lennon's new biography of Lennon argues that Freddie always tried to do his best for his son. But Lennon remained angry at his father all his life

After a few years John's mother, Julia, began living with another man. Julia’s sister, John’s Aunt Mimi, did not approve. ‘You’re a married woman,’ she said. ‘It’s bad for the boy. He must come and live with me,’ she said.

Comfortable


Aunt Mimi lived in a middle class suburb of Liverpool with her husband, George Smith. Their home, called, The Mendips, was comfortable but strict. Aunt Mimi had many rules and high expectations.

For Aunt Mimi's story of her relationship with John, watch this remarkable interview (9 minutes)



Young John






Julia